RELAXATION THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA - EFFECTS ON BASAL SPIROMETRIC VALUES

Eighteen asthmatic children were divided into two 9-patient groups mat ched with respect to severity of the disease. The first group received a 6-week asthma self-management programme which included progressive relaxation training. The second group received the same programme with out the relaxation training component. State anxiety and spirometric d ata (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%) for both groups, obtained before and aft er each session with the therapist, showed that relaxation is effectiv e in reducing state anxiety but does not modify basal spirometric valu es.