Relaxation Techniques and Hypnosis in the Treatment of CHD Patients

It is now generally acknowledged that the functioning of the cardiovascular system is determined in large part by attitudes, emotions, anxiety and distress [1]. Resulting clinical implications include the use of behavioral and psychological interventions during cardiac rehabilitation in order to achieve relaxation [2], which can be defined as a state of physiological distension aimed at re-balancing changes deriving from distressful conditions. Relaxation techniques and hypnosis have become particularly relevant in treatment programs aimed at stress management and homeostatic rebalancing, since a continuous state of arousal can, in the long run, result in damage or dysfunction cardiovascular system. Many authors, however, argue that techniques aimed at achieving a relaxation condition can be considered elective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease [3]–[6].