Key result
Self-help autogenic relaxation training fails to improve post-stroke depression scores compared to control.
Why the study?
The potential of self-help relaxation training to treat depression after stroke was considered but not well established.
Does an autogenic relaxation CD reduce depression in people with stroke?
RCT (n=21)
Randomized with cross-over at 3 months
Does an autogenic relaxation CD reduce depression in people with stroke?
A pilot study of self-help relaxation for post-stroke depression showed no significant between-group differences but demonstrated within-group improvements, suggesting feasibility for a larger trial.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Does not support self-help autogenic training for post-stroke depression; leaves open efficacy in larger trials.
Objective: To consider the potential of self-help relaxation training to treat depression after stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial with cross-over at three months. Setting: Community. Participants: In total, 21 people with stroke, aged 49–82 years. Intervention: Autogenic relaxation CD. Main measure: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Depression (HADS-D) subscale. Results: No difference in depression change scores was identified between the treatment and control groups; however, on two follow-ups, significant positive differences relative to screening were found for the treatment group (at 2 months Z = −2.55, P = .011 and 12 months Z = −2.44, P = .015). A partial η 2 = .07 was identified. Conclusion: Self-help relaxation holds promise as a self-help treatment for depression after stroke. Findings from this trial, considered with others of relaxation for depression, suggest that a study including a total of 80 participants would likely be sufficient to establish efficacy of the treatment, relative to controls, in those with stroke.
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Golding et al. (2017) conducted an RCT in Post-stroke depression (n=21). Autogenic relaxation CD vs. Waiting list control was evaluated on Change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression sub-scale (HADS-D) scores. Self-help autogenic relaxation training did not significantly improve depression change scores compared to a waiting list control among stroke survivors selected for anxiety.
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