Relaxation therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma: effects on basal spirometric values.

Eighteen asthmatic children were divided into two 9-patient groups matched 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 without the relaxation training component. State anxiety and spirometric data (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%) for both groups, obtained before and after each session with the therapist, showed that relaxation is effective in reducing state anxiety but does not modify basal spirometric values.