[Group techniques and relaxation in the treatment of several subtypes of anxiety: a non-randomized controlled trial]

To evaluate the impact of group relaxation on women suffering distress and general anxiety disorders.

A non-randomised study with a control.

A sample of 32 women between 25 and 55 in each group (intervention and control) was used. They belonged to the El Naranjo Health District and fitted the diagnostic criteria. The intervention group underwent a course of group techniques and relaxation. Anxiety was evaluated using the STAI state-characteristic test, before and after intervention, for both groups. A qualitative evaluation using discussion groups was also made.

At the start of the study, the two groups were homogeneous regarding all the variables. The anxiety-state mean in the post-test for the study group was 22.96 +/- 13.3; and for the control group, 33.3 +/- 13.17, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.004). The post-test mean of the anxiety characteristic for the study group was 28.62 +/- 12.28; against 35.26 +/- 9.84 for the control group, which was also statistically significant (p = 0.02).

This type of intervention is effective in reducing temporary anxiety and improves, to a small extent, an inbuilt tendency to react with anxiety. These groups provide a qualitative improvement in self-esteem and in the women's network of relationships.