Activity-based Stress Release
ABSR Research Project 2023

We aim to demonstrate that simple everyday exercises as described by Rudolf Steiner, in combination with targeted Eurythmy have significant positive effects on general mental health and overall quality of life.

Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance and potential of stress management in society and to stimulate interdisciplinary discourse within the research community.

The project focuses on four main areas:

• Stress Management: Our target audience includes individuals with stress management needs, older adults, caregivers, singles, couples, men, and business professionals. You and Me
  
• Pedagogy: The course for Waldorf teachers and educators is recognized by the Federation of Free Waldorf Schools as professional development. It serves both as a preventive measure against burnout and a means to better assist children. ABSR for Education
• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth: As stress is a central element of post-traumatic disorders, we have expanded the ABSR concept for trauma work and healing. We now invite doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and their clients to participate in the project. ABSR for Psychotherapy
• Cancer-Related Fatigue: With cancer and after cancer treatment, many individuals experience severe fatigue, often accompanied by significant internal stress. We aim to investigate and validate that everyday ABSR exercises combined with Eurythmy have a positive impact on cancer-related fatigue and overall well-being. These courses are offered for free. ABSR for Cancer-Related Fatigue
  

The online courses will be conducted from approximately September 30th to December 2nd, 2023, in German, English, Swedish, Finnish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Chinese.

The course instructors have been trained by Eurythmy4you, have undergone the courses themselves multiple times and collaborate intensively. They are looking forward to getting to know you and being on the road with you.

In the courses, you will be introduced to Rudolf Steiner's exercises for addressing nervousness and to Eurythmy movements, which accompany each exercise. This process helps you develop a new relationship with yourself, reduce chronic stress, and enhances your resilience. You'll also learn to recognize stress as a matter of different qualities of consciousness.

Understanding the project's purpose. Finding the perfect course.
How to participate. The conduct of the research.

ABSR Research by the University of Bern

At the Institute of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, IKIM, of the University of Bern, Prof. Ursula Wolf and her group have already been working with Theodor Hundhammer and Eurythmy4you both clinically and in research for several years.

In order for the effectiveness of the ABSR courses to be assessed and further developed according to the needs of the participants, we depend on feedback. Therefore, we would like to ask for your impressions, feedback and comments with a questionnaire. Participation is of course voluntary and the questionnaires are anonymous, i.e. we will not be able to know who filled them out.

Data will be collected through questionnaires before, midway, at the end, and eight weeks after the course. Eurythmy4you sends the link to the questionnaires by email. Filling out the questionnaires takes 10-15 minutes each time. For a meaningful evaluation the higher the number of completed questionnaires the better, i.e. the contribution of each participant matters.

We, Prof. Dr. med. Ursula Wolf (Director of the IKIM, see photo), Dr. Eliane Timm, and the doctoral medical student Yobina Ko will be grateful if you decide to participate and we thank you very much.

What research results do we want to achieve?

• Primary outcome:
  • What are the changes in the stress levels before and after the ABSR course, assessed by questionnaires.
    
• Secondary outcomes:
  
  • How do participants rate their satisfaction with the ABSR course?
  • Is the primary outcome influenced by the perceived performance of the course instructors?
  • Is the primary outcome of the course influenced by the participant’s acquaintance or relationship with anthroposophy and/or eurythmy?
  • Is there a gender difference in the outcomes?

Previous research

• For information on previous research on ABSR, please visit our ABSR Research Pages.

Sponsors

So far, the research project is supported by:

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