Sophrology as a Medical Therapy

There’s some scientific evidence to support the benefits of sophrology. Here’s a look at what some of the recent research says.

Reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms

The aim of this 2020 study was to determine the effectiveness of an intensive 4-week structured group-relaxation-training program (sophrology’s dynamic relaxation) on anxiety and depression symptoms in primary care patients with moderate and high anxiety levels.

In an experimental study, seventy patients, according to the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, were randomized to the “well-being and sophrology”, a control program based on physical and mental health recommendations.

Sophrology showed statistically significant improvements, regardless of gender or age.

Promising adjuvant therapy to current guideline-based treatment for asthma in children

A 2018 study of sophrology on children with asthma proved that those who experienced sophrology sessions alongside standard treatment had improved airflow compared to those who didn’t practice sophrology

Coping with pain and anxiety during chemotherapy

Patients with cancer undergo long and difficult treatments, all anxiety-causing situations and sources of stress.

A 2015 study highlights that sophrological techniques help patients to find calm, lessen their fears and offer them the opportunity to work on themselves through simple easily reproducible exercises. This observation has been verified by a study carried out at the Institut Curie with patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Coping with pain and anxiety during interventional radiology procedures

Sophrology techniques may be useful during medical procedures that cause stress and discomfort.

In a small 2018 study with 60 participants, people with cancer used sophrology and hypnosis techniques during interventional radiology procedures.

The group who engaged in relaxing therapies showed a significant reduction in anxiety and pain levels. This was in comparison to their levels before the procedure and to the control group who received no treatments.

The participants were guided to focus on their breath and positive memories to generate a relaxed mental state of hypnosis.

Improve well-being in Hospital Staff

Stress at work and psychosocial risks are a major public health problem. Staff of hospitals can be at risk, with working environment described as the main risk factor.

For this, a 2023 study shows that sophrology improve the mental (anxiety and depression), physical, and social health.

Finally, these approaches have never been provided in the workplace for the benefits of workers at risk of stress-related disorders.

Wellness during pregnancy

Sophrology practices can benefit women who are pregnant and their newborns.

A 2019 study concluded that a type of sophrology childbirth training that included respiratory, Kegel, and Lamaze techniques had a positive effect on:

maternal health
pelvic floor function
quality of life

The women had a better vaginal delivery rate and lower levels of postpartum urinary incontinence and hemorrhages.

The newborns of mothers who did the sophrology therapy had higher Apgar scores and body weights compared with the control group.

Reduction of pain and anxiety in geriatrics

The article published in 2012 by Pascale Tocheport, shows that Sophrology helps to relieve physical, psychological and spiritual suffering in the geriatric population.

Physical and Mental Preparation for Athletes

In this article published in 2024, a belgium sophrologist talk about his works with athletes.Sophrology can be beneficial for managing jet lag, improving sleep onset, re-energizing, enhancing self-focus, and fostering awareness of the athlete’s surrounding environment.