Hidderley, M., & Holt, M. (2004). A pilot randomized trial assessing the effects of autogenic training in early stage cancer patients in relation to psychological status and immune system responses. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 8(1), 61–65.

The intervention was autogenic training (AT), a type of meditation, with mental exercises:

• Heaviness of limbs
• Warmth of limbs
• Calm regular heartbeat
• Easy breathing
• Abdominal warmth
• Cooling of forehead

Measurements were taken at baseline and at the end of two monthly periods. Patients were observed for evidence of meditative state. Group 1 (control) received one home visit, and group II (intervention) received one home visit plus two months of AT intervention.

The study reported on a sample of 31 women with early-stage breast cancer.

A randomized controlled trial design was used.

• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
• T and B cell markers
• Unpaired t tests
• Calculations of blood results and HADS scores were made of mean and standard deviation.

Results showed a p value of 0.0027 between groups for anxiety. T and B cell markers remained similar in both groups. The AT group reported improved HADS anxiety levels (t = 2.00, p = 0.092). There was no statistical difference in HADS scores for patients within the group.

• The study had a small sample of women with early-stage breast cancer.
• Specialized education was needed to provide the AT.
• The authors state a limitation may be that only 7 of 16 patients in the experimental group achieved a meditative state.