Exercise versus hypnotherapy in coronary rehabilitation

Abstract

Over a two year period a group of 31 post-myocardial infarction patients were subjected to an exercise rehabilitation program of gradually increasing intensity and duration. At the same time a group of 14 similar patients were given a non-active program utilizing the teaching of autohypnosis to achieve a more relaxed lifestyle. Individuals were randomly allocated to each group.Only those exercisers capable of achieving and maintaining a heavy training program showed tangible gains of cardiorespiratory fitness in all parameters measured. Those who achieved a moderate level of training showed improvement in some indices, but regressed in others; their overall improvement was no better than the inactive group.