AFA breathing therapy to prevent burnout for teachers

[Article in German]

Loew T, Götz K, Hornung R, Tritt K.

Abteilung Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Regensburg, Deutschland. thomas.loew@klinik.uni-regensburg.de

Abstract

BACKGROUND: AFA breathing therapy has been shown to have positive effects on burnout-associated work-related patterns of behavior and experience.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of AFA breathing therapy on teachers.

METHODS: Volunteers without relevant psychopathology (excluded by VDS90 screening) were included in the study. Evaluation was based on the 'Fragebogen zur Erfassung des arbeitsbezogenen Verhaltens- und Erlebensmusters (AVEM)' - 'Questionnaire for the assessment of work-related patterns of behavior and experience'. The AVEM comprises 11 scales like subjective relevance of work, readiness to exert oneself, perfectionism, ability to detach from work, calmness and mental equilibrium, and perceived social support.

RESULTS: In most scales, mean scores improved significantly over the course of the treatment. Furthermore, in 9 out of 11 AVEM-scales, mean intra-individual differences improved significantly more in the course of the treatment phase than in the course of the control phase.

CONCLUSION: AFA breathing therapy could prove effective for burnout prevention.

PMID: 19657202 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]