Autogenic Relaxation Therapy: A Pilot Study on its Multidimensional Effects

Introduction: Mothers of special children may feel more worried and depressed, leading to issues with their physical and mental health. Autogenic Relaxation Therapy (ART) has emerged as a promising intervention for mitigating these adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ART in reducing psychological and bio-physiological distress among mothers of special children. Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental design was employed, recruiting 40 mothers of special children with borderline to moderate depression. Participants were assigned to either an experimental group (n = 20) receiving ART sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks or a control group (n = 20) receiving no intervention. Outcome measures included stress, anxiety, depression, respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol levels. Results: The research showed that mothers caring for special children who underwent ART had improved psychological and physiological well-being. The scores for stress, anxiety, and depression were 27.1%, 37.2%, and 36% lower, respectively, and the two-way repeated measures ANOVA proved that the treatment resulted in significant decreases as the time passed (P < 0.001). However, the control group didn’t experience significant changes or only slight increases in various parameters. Researchers found significant drops in pulse rate and cortisol as well as an improved respiratory rate (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings highlight the effectiveness of Autogenic Relaxation Therapy (ART) in reducing psychological and biophysiological distress among mothers of special children. Significant reductions in stress, anxiety, depression, and physiological parameters indicate that ART can serve as a valuable, non-pharmacological adjunct to conventional caregiver support.