The Efficacy of Remote Relaxation and Imagery Techniques in Reducing Moderate to Severe Stress and Anxiety among Healthcare Workers During a Lethal Pandemic: A Pilot Study

Background and Aim: This pilot study aimed to assess the impact of a combination of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and imagery techniques on healthcare workers experiencing moderate to severe levels of anxiety and stress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Given the lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of these techniques for individuals with moderate to severe levels of stress and anxiety, and considering the challenges posed by remote therapy due to physical distancing, the research sought to investigate their potential in addressing the psychological burden faced by healthcare workers involved in treating infected patients. Materials and Methods: In this pilot quasi-experimental study, stress and anxiety levels of 24 participants who were directly involved in the care of Covid-19 patients in Valiasr Hospital, Birjand were evaluated using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire-14 and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale as a pre-test. Participants then received an audio file containing a combination of PMR and imagery techniques. After one month, the mentioned questionnaires were completed again as a post-test. The data was analyzed using paired t-test . Results: There was a significant difference between the average of stress and anxiety before and after the intervention (P <0.001). This difference remained significant even after removing the effect of reducing the number of patients during the intervention phase. Conclusion: This pilot study indicated that the utilization of PMR and imagery techniques, even through remote therapy during the pandemic, can have a therapeutic impact on reducing moderate to severe levels of anxiety and stress. However, further investigations are required to approach this critical issue in more depth.