Effects of relaxation on anxiety in primary caregivers of chronically ill children.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of self-applied breathing and guided imagery relaxation techniques, separately and in combination, and a reinforcement tool on primary caregivers (PCGs) coping with anxiety when caring for a chronically ill child.

METHOD

Twenty PCGs, aged 25-57, of chronically ill children were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The State Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y) was used to measure state anxiety across three test administrations.

FINDINGS

While there were no statistically significant changes in state anxiety, behavioral evaluations indicated that PCGs used both the self-applied relaxation techniques and the reinforcement tool more than twice daily.

CONCLUSIONS

Relaxation techniques may be useful for those people caring for chronically ill children.