Key Takeaway
Eight weeks of autogenic training significantly reduced both state and trait anxiety in nursing students compared to laughter therapy and no-intervention controls.
Summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether autogenic training could reduce anxiety in nursing students, a population facing significant educational and clinical stress. The study enrolled 93 nursing students aged 19-49 at a UK university college in 1998.
Participants were randomized into three groups: autogenic training (eight weekly sessions), laughter therapy (active control), and no intervention (passive control). Researchers measured state and trait anxiety, burnout, blood pressure, and pulse rate at baseline and multiple follow-up points.
The autogenic training group showed statistically significantly greater reductions in both State Anxiety (P<0.001) and Trait Anxiety (P<0.001) compared to both control groups immediately after the 8-week intervention. Blood pressure and pulse rate also improved significantly (P<0.01 to P<0.002). The findings demonstrated that autogenic training has at least a short-term effect in alleviating stress in nursing students, supporting its use as a practical, low-cost anxiety management technique in educational settings.
Methods
- Randomized controlled trial with 93 nursing students
- Three groups: autogenic training, laughter therapy, no intervention
- Eight weekly autogenic training sessions
- Measured state and trait anxiety (STAI), burnout, blood pressure, pulse rate
- Assessments at baseline and multiple follow-up points
Key Results
- State Anxiety: Significantly greater reduction in AT group (P<0.001)
- Trait Anxiety: Significantly greater reduction in AT group (P<0.001)
- Blood pressure: Significant improvement (P<0.01 to P<0.002)
- Pulse rate: Significant improvement
- Effects seen immediately post-intervention
Limitations
- Single institution study
- Short-term follow-up only
- Participants were exclusively nursing students (limited generalizability)
- Laughter therapy as active control may not match AT in treatment credibility