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2 results

  • Chapter 12 - How and When Should I Deliver Relaxation Therapeutics?

  • from Section 4 - Treating Insomnia Using the CBTx Approach
  • Colin A. Espie, University of Oxford, UK
  • Book:
    The Clinician's Guide to Cognitive and Behavioural Therapeutics (CBTx) for Insomnia
    Published online:
    20 December 2024
    Print publication:
    09 January 2025, pp 273-287

  • Summary

    Many patients with insomnia report difficulties with downregulating or de-arousing. Relaxation techniques have been an established component of CBT for many decades and may be a suitable option for some patients with insomnia. In this chapter a historical and scientific background to relaxation therapeutics is provided. The chapter next describes how to introduce relaxation to patients, and how to frame it as a value proposition. It goes on to provide instruction to clinicians in how to introduce, contextualise, and deliver relaxation therapeutics, namely establishing an evening wind-down routine, progressive muscle relaxation, and autogenic training.

  • Autogenic Training as a behavioural approach to insomnia: a prospective cohort study

  • Ann Bowden, Ava Lorenc, Nicola Robinson
  • Journal:
    Primary Health Care Research & Development / Volume 13 / Issue 2 / April 2012
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    26 July 2011, pp. 175-185
    • Article
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  • Background

    Insomnia is commonly associated with chronic health problems. Behavioural and cognitive factors often perpetuate a vicious cycle of anxiety and sleep disturbance, leading to long-term insomnia. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence currently recommends behavioural approaches before prescribing hypnotics. Behavioural approaches aim to treat underlying causes, but are not widely available. Research usually includes patients diagnosed with insomnia rather than secondary, co-morbid sleep- related problems.

    Aim

    To examine the effectiveness of autogenic training (AT) as a non-drug approach to sleep-related problems associated with chronic ill health.

    Design

    Prospective pre- and post-treatment cohort study.

    Setting

    AT centre, Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

    Methods

    All patients referred for AT from April 2007 to April 2008 were invited to participate. Participants received standard 8-week training, with no specific focus on sleep. Sleep questionnaires were administered at four time points, ‘Measure Your Medical Outcome Profile’ (MYMOP) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, before and after treatment. Results before and after treatment were compared. Camden and Islington Community Local Research and Ethics Committee approved the study.

    Results

    The AT course was completed by 153 participants, of whom 73% were identified as having a sleep-related problem. Improvements in sleep patterns included: sleep onset latency (P = 0.049), falling asleep quicker after night waking (P < 0.001), feeling more refreshed (P < 0.001) and more energised on waking (P = 0.019). MYMOP symptom, well-being, anxiety and depression scores significantly improved (all P < 0.001).

    Conclusion

    This study suggests that AT may improve sleep patterns for patients with various health conditions and reduce anxiety and depression, both of which may result from and cause insomnia. Improvements in sleep patterns occurred despite, or possibly due to, not focusing on sleep during training. AT may provide an approach to insomnia that could be incorporated into primary care.