Table 1.
Session outlines of the RT and MAIR.
| Session | RT | MAIR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visualizations I. Presentation of the different relaxation techniques and their usefulness. | General overview. Theoretical aspects of the brain, the limbic system, fear, conditioning and reconditioning. Visualization of 100% recovery. |
| 2 | Visualizations II. Deepening in guided relaxation through imagination training. Noticing the effects of relaxation in the body and mind and learning when to use it. | Developing FM. How stress triggers the nervous system. Mindfulness and self-awareness. Anchoring presence in the body and breathing. |
| 3 | Visualizations III. Working with emotions through imagination. Emotional burdens are symbolically released, reducing emotional discomfort. | Amygdala technique. Reconditioning. Breaking negative thoughts, meanings, and emotions, and somatic answers in the body. Breathing and meditation. |
| 4 | Autogenic relaxation I. Autogenic relaxation initiation. Fostering sensations of relaxation through imagining a ball of light and heat. | Regulation of negative emotions and symptoms. The “soften and flow” self-regulation through mindfulness practice. Body scan meditation. |
| 5 | Autogenic relaxation II. Deepening in autogenic relaxation by learning when and how to use it. Working on heaviness sensations. | The accelerator of MAIR. Internal dialogue, patterns and behaviors related to illness in FM. Importance of mindfulness as a daily practice. Walking meditation. |
| 6 | Progressive relaxation. Initiation to the progressive relaxation. Tensing and relaxing the muscles to become aware of the change in body sensations. | Dealing with stress. Awareness of negative thoughts related to external stimuli. Over-reactions of the nervous system. Mindfulness in daily activities. |
| 7 | Breathing I. Learning to use breathing exercises. Knowing its benefits. Deep inspiration and exhalation. Using breathing to calm anxiety. | Awareness of limiting beliefs. How to identify and change them through reconditioning. Motivation and sense of life. Meditation on values. |
| 8 | Breathing II. Deepening in breathing exercises by learning different deep-breathing exercises. | Recovery, cycles, and stages and returning to regular life. Fear of failure in terms of recovery. Positive visualizations of the future. Review and summary of the protocol. |
RT: relaxation therapy; MAIR: mindfulness plus amygdala and insula retraining.