BIOFEEDBACK, AUTOGENIC TRAINING, AND PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION IN THE TREATMENT OF RAYNAUD'S DISEASE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

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Abstract
Female patients [21] suffering from diagnosed idiopathic Raynaud''s disease were trained to raise digital skin temperature using either autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation or a combination of autogenic training and skin temperature feedback. Patients were instructed in the treatment procedures in 3 one h group sessions spaced 1 wk apart. All patients were instructed to practice what they had learned twice a day at home. Patients kept records of the frequency of vasospastic attacks occurring over a 4 wk baseline period and during the first 4 wk and the 9th wk of training. Patients underwent 4 laboratory cold stress tests during which they were instructed to maintain digital temperature as the ambient temperature was slowly dropped from 26.degree.-17.degree. C. Cold stress tests were given during week 1 of baseline and during weeks 1, 3 and 5 of training. All patients improved during the first 4 wk of training. No significant differences between the 3 behavioral treatment procedures were obtained. The ability of patients to maintain digital temperature during the cold stress challenge showed significant improvement from the 1st to the last tests. Symptomatic improvement was maintained by all patients 9 wk after the start of the training. The implications of these findings for the behavioral treatment of Raynaud''s disease are discussed.