Effectiveness of a 4-week sophrology program for primary care patients with moderate to high anxiety levels: a randomised controlled trial

Background. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of an intensive four-week structured group relaxation-training program (sophrology's dynamic relaxation) on anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels. Method. In an experimental study, seventy patients, according to the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale - Anxiety subscale (HADS-A), cut-off >= 8, were randomized to the "well-being and sophrology" or a control program based on physical and mental health recommendations (PMHR). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) ratings were obtained before and after 12 one-hour sessions for 4 consecutive weeks. Results. Sixty-five patients completed the study. The dropout rate was 2.9 % (N=1) for the intervention group and 11.4 % (N=4) for the control group. Sophrology showed statistically significant improvements in all HADS and STAI subscales for with-in group (p<0.001) and between groups analysis (p=0.001 to 0.046), regardless of gender or age. The pre-post effect sizes (Cohen's d) for anxiety and depression symptoms were large for sophrology (ES=0.84 to 1.36) and small to moderate for the control (ES=0.28 to 0.49). Conclusion: An intensive four-week structured group relaxation-training program "well-being and sophrology" is highly effective in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels.