Relaxation during stroke rehabilitation: encouraging scores, unclear size of benefit
A randomized trial tested relaxation within a physiotherapy program, reporting improvements in emotional and functional measures without showing the size of the added benefit.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In stroke survivors, a rehabilitation program combining autogenic relaxation with usual physiotherapy was studied against physiotherapy alone. The authors reported improvements in anxiety, depression, perceived control over recovery and functional independence. However, the abstract does not give group-specific changes, so the size of any added benefit from relaxation remains unclear.
No effect sizes or confidence intervals are supplied, and the reported significance tests do not clearly separate within-group improvement from the extra benefit of relaxation.
Relaxation replaced some physiotherapy time
Both groups had sessions of the same total length. The experimental program devoted part of that time to relaxation, leaving less time for usual physiotherapy. This comparison tests a different session structure, rather than simply adding more contact time.
Participation was an aim, but results were narrower
Although better participation in physical activity was a study aim, the reported results concern emotional symptoms, perceived control and functional independence. They do not provide a separate result for attendance or adherence to physical activity.
The original publication
Effectiveness of Autogenic Relaxation Training as an Adjunct to Usual Physiotherapy in Enhancing Emotional Well-Being and Functional Independence in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Study.
Mohd Nordin NA, Thazhakkattu Vasu D, Ezzat Ghazali S
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40778731
- Record checked
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