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PubMed1997

[Musical relaxation therapy on the cerebral arteriosclerosis].

The transcranial Doppler and psychological measurement methods were used to evaluate the effect of musical relaxation therapy on the cerebral arteriosclerosis. The results showed that the musical relaxation therapy could improve the cerebral blood flow (physiological), offset the Type A behavior and eliminate the emotional disturbance (psychological), and that its effect was better than that of the control patients. The mechanism of the effect may be related to the 1/f sound wave (physical), abdominal respiration with long expiration and involuntary inspiration (physiological) and the hinting effects of the inducing phrases (psychological).

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Relaxation therapy and high blood pressure.

Thirty-one patients receiving medical treatment for essential hypertension were randomly distributed into three groups: (1) relaxation therapy, (2) nonspecific therapy, and (3) medical treatment only. The nonspecific therapy group spent the same amount of time with the therapists as the relaxation group but was not given a specific therapy. Blood pressures were measured at a different time and in a different place from the behavioral treatments. The relaxation therapy group showed a significant reduction in blood pressure postreatment compared with the nonspecific therapy and medical treatment only groups, even when those patients whose medication was increased were excluded from the data analysis. At follow-up six months post-treatment, the relaxation group showed a slight decrement in treatment effects, while both the nonspecific therapy and medical treatment only groups showed continued improvement; thus, there was not a significant difference between groups.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1994

The effects of therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety.

This study examines the effects of two noninvasive procedures on experienced anxiety. Thirty-one inpatients of a Veterans Administration psychiatric facility were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions, (therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy) or to a therapeutic touch placebo condition. An additional 13 patients were excluded because of failure to meet criteria for the study or failure to complete the procedures. Each subject completed a self-report anxiety measure and was rated for amount of motor activity before and after each of two 15-minute treatment sessions in a 24-hour period. Subjects' belief in the effectiveness of the intervention was measured. Expectancy did not correlate with outcome and was not analyzed further. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that whereas relaxation therapy provided significant reduction of anxiety on the self-report measure and the movement measure, the nursing intervention of therapeutic touch resulted in significant reductions of reported anxiety. The control group showed small but nonsignificant effects. Results suggests that both relaxation and therapeutic touch are effective palliatives to experienced anxiety. Implications for nursing theory are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Relaxation therapy in adult asthma. Is there new evidence for its effectiveness?

Studies of relaxation training for adult asthma patients were reviewed for the period between 1980 and 2000. Six controlled and three uncontrolled studies were identified, employing a variety of methods, such as progressive relaxation, functional relaxation, autogenic training, or yoga. Most studies had low sample sizes and suffered from one or more methodological deficiencies, such as suboptimal data analysis, high dropout rates, problematic measurement procedures, or insufficient descriptions of methodology and results. Overall effects on parameters of lung function, symptoms, medication consumption, and health care use were generally negligible. Problems with the underlying rationale of relaxation therapy in asthma are discussed from a psychophysiological viewpoint. Examples are given of potential beneficial and detrimental effects of these techniques on lung function with respect to emotional processes, the musculoskeletal system, and ventilation as targets of a relaxation intervention. It remains to be demonstrated that relaxation training can significantly contribute to the standard treatment of asthma in adult patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Effects of relaxation therapy and hypnotizability in chronic urticaria.

The therapeutic results of hypnosis with relaxation therapy were evaluated in 15 patients with chronic urticaria of 7.8 years' average duration. Compared with baseline and control session values, the hypnosis session provided relief of pruritus as measured by three self-report parameters. There was no change in the number of hives. All subjects were given a standard test for hypnotizability. Assuming that the results were not biased by their preceding relaxation sessions, we determined that six subjects were hypnotizable and nine were nonhypnotizable. Subjects in both groups improved symptomatically, but hypnotizable subjects had fewer hives and became more symptomatic during the control (testing and history taking) session. Hypnotizable subjects also more frequently related stress as a causative factor. At a follow-up examination five to 14 months after the completion of the experimental sessions, six patients were free of hives and an additional seven reported improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Cardiac events after myocardial infarction: possible effect of relaxation therapy.

Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation aims primarily at improving quality of life, but an effect on morbidity and mortality may also be expected, especially when changes in behaviour and life-style are induced. The value of relaxation therapy and exercise training in post myocardial infarction (MI) patients was investigated. A group of 90 post MI patients were randomly assigned to either exercise training plus individual relaxation and breathing therapy (treatment A), or exercise training only (treatment B). The occurrence of cardiac events, consisting of cardiac death and of readmission to hospital for unstable angina pectoris, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or recurrent infarction, differed significantly for the two treatment groups in the 2-3 years after infarction. Seven out of 42 patients in treatment group A (17%) experienced a cardiac event, in contrast to 17 out of 46 (37%) patients in treatment group B, (P = 0.05, two-tailed). The results suggest that a combination of a behavioural treatment such as relaxation therapy with exercise training is more favourable for the long-term outcome after myocardial infarction than is exercise training alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Relaxation therapy reduces anxiety in child and adolescent psychiatric patients.

The immediate effects of relaxation therapy (RT) were assessed in 40 hospitalized children and adolescents with diagnoses of adjustment disorder and depression. These effects were assessed using a within subjects pre-test/post-test design and by comparison with a control group of 20 depressed and adjustment disorder patients who watched a 1-h relaxing videotape. The 1-h RT class consisted of yoga exercise, a brief massage and progressive muscle relaxation. Decreases were noted in both self-reported anxiety and in anxious behavior and fidgeting as well as increases in positive affect in the RT but not the video group. In addition, adjustment disorder patients and a third of the depressed patients showed decreases in cortisol levels following RT, while no changes were noted in the video group. Thus, both diagnostic groups appeared to benefit from the RT class.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1979

Ear-acupuncture relaxation therapy in alcoholics. Report on a follow-up survey.

Ninety-five out of 190 alcoholics treated in 1977 by ear-acupuncture relaxation therapy were selected for a follow-up survey. Sixty-two replied to our letters and were interviewed (by C.F.). Sixteen (25.8%) said that they had maintained total sobriety for over 12 months, while 54 (87%) said that their life-style, drinking pattern and physical and mental health had improved. thus, a significant percentage had been helped to improved health and to a changed way of life.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behavioral and physiological effects of a beta blocker and relaxation therapy on mild hypertensives.

In this industrial-based study we compared the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effectiveness of relaxation, a beta blocker, and the combined use of these two treatments in 47 untreated, mildly hypertensive blue collar steel workers. Using a randomized two by two factorial design, patients received either nadolol or placebo drug daily, and either a relaxation training or an education program, each lasting 8 weeks. A pre-intervention and post-intervention stress test measured response of heart rate and BP to mental and physical tasks. BP assessments were done at baseline, post-intervention, 1 month, and 3 month follow-up. Change in several self-report measures was determined. Results showed that beta blocker was more effective in lowering BP than placebo, but relaxation was not more effective in lowering BP than health education. The combined effect of beta blocker and relaxation was not superior to beta blocker alone. Compliance with relaxation practice was not superior to compliance with medication. We conclude that pharmacologic treatment is superior to the relaxation therapy tested.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of relaxation therapy on post-myocardial infarction patients' rehabilitation.

This research measured the physical and psychosocial effects of the practice of Benson's relaxation technique by male postmyocardial infarction patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program and determined if the patient's behavioral style (Type A or Type B) was related to the outcomes. Twenty-seven subjects completed the experimental condition; 30, the control condition. Outcome measures included blood pressure, heart rate, aerobic conditioning level (MET level), and psychosocial functioning, as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine if relaxation therapy and/or behavior style had an effect on measures of the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation. The practice of relaxation was found to have a significant effect on diastolic blood pressure. Behavior style was unrelated to the outcome measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effects of relaxation therapy on cardiac performance and sympathetic activity in patients with organic heart disease.

Six patients, with surgically implanted tantalum myocardial markers, were trained in deep muscle relaxation therapy. Analysis of individual responses and group means of blood pressure and ventricular dimensions during relaxation showed a decrease in plasma norepinephrine levels and indices of myocardial contractility compared to the control state. Heart rate changes in individuals during relaxation were directly correlated with changes in plasma norepinephrine levels, although group means for heart rate did not change significantly between control and relaxation periods. Base-line plasma norepinephrine levels were directly correlated with systolic blood pressure and were inveresly correlated with a measure of myocardial contractility. These data suggest that physiological changes during relaxation may be mediated through the sympathetic nervous system.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Relationship between changes in EMG and respiratory sinus arrhythmia in a study of relaxation therapy for asthma.

This paper reports the relationships among changes in cardiovagal activity, surface EMG, and measures of pulmonary function in a study of relaxation therapy for asthma. Changes in FEV1/FVC were negatively correlated with those in cardiac interbeat interval, consistent with the hypothesis that relaxation-induced changes in airway function are mediated autonomically, with increased vagal tone and/or decreased sympathetic arousal producing bronchoconstriction. Contrary to Kotses's theory of a vagal-trigeminal reflex as mediator for relaxation-induced improvement in asthma, decreases in pulmonary function occurred during relaxation sessions, accompanied by increases in cardiovagal activity, and within-session changes in frontal EMG in the first session of training were positively associated with changes in a measure of pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC). However, consistent with this hypothesis, first-session frontalis EMG changes were positively associated with changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and last-session changes in cardiac interbeat interval were positively associated with changes in FEV1/FVC. The results suggest that the immediate effects of generalized relaxation instruction can be associated with a parasympathetic rebound, which, in tum, may induce countertherapeutic changes in asthma. However, the effects of specific facial muscle relaxation remain unclear.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[The influence of 5-week relaxation therapy on psychological state of patients with borderline hypertension].

The aim of the present was to evaluate the influence of 5-week relaxation therapy on psychic state of patients with borderline hypertension. The study group consisted of 30 hypertensives. We observed significant changes in anxiety scale, defensiveness, self-confidence, intraception, nurturance, affiliation, heterosexuality, change and succorance scales. In conclusion, 5-week relaxation changes significantly psychological status of patients with borderline hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Relaxation therapy as an adjunct treatment for essential hypertension.

Essential hypertension is one of the leading problems seen by a family physician, and it is not easily treated. In some instances, a behavioral therapy may serve as a useful adjunct to the pharmacological treatment of this disease. Evidence indicates that relaxation therapy in combination with medical treatment results in significantly greater reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the use of medical treatment alone. Progressive muscle relaxation, Benson's "relaxation response," hypnosis, and blood pressure biofeedback are the four most common behavioral treatments for essential hypertension. The first two of these are both effective and well suited to use in a family practice.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of relaxation therapy as group and individual treatment of chronic tinnitus].

42 patients, suffering from chronic tinnitus, participated in our psychological orientated treatment consisting of relaxation therapy with autogenic training according to J. H. Schultz. The results of individual therapy are compared with group therapy. Using visual analogy scales the therapeutical efficiency can be tested. The individual estimated loudness and annoyance of tinnitus are registered as well as a general emotional status. The results show a positive short-time effect in most cases. A reduction of tinnitus loudness and annoyance after individual and group therapy is seen directly. A positive effect throughout the whole treatment is only found in individual therapy. Concerning the group therapy, many of our patients reported an increase of the pretherapeutical estimation of tinnitus loudness and -annoyance. We believe that the permanent confrontation with the tinnitus problem may advance the psychological conflict in many cases. Therefore psychological management of tinnitus should be concentrated on a temporary limited support aiming to the neglect of tinnitus sensation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relaxation therapy with respiratory feedback in patients with essential hypertension].

During a stationary rehabilitation program for four to six weeks 170 patients with essential hypertension participated in a respiratory feedback (RFB) evaluation. 91 patients were treated with this relaxation therapy and compared with 79 controls. Furthermore the anti-hypertensive medication was controlled. One treatment group (without antihypertensive medication) had a higher systolic blood-pressure decrease than controls. In both treatment groups psychological effects in the sense of more positive mood and less physical complaints were found.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2004

A review of select alternative treatment approaches for acquired neurogenic disorders: relaxation therapy and acupuncture.

Despite increasing consumer utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and growing evidence of its positive effects on certain physical (e.g., chronic pain, insomnia) and psychiatric (e.g., anxiety) disorders, few empirical investigations have explored using CAM to treat neurogenic disorders of communication or cognition. Accordingly, to spur clinical and research interest in CAM, we review two forms of CAM, relaxation therapy and acupuncture, that have been used to address the needs of patients with neurogenic cognitive or communicative disorders. For each technique, we describe general therapy procedures, summarize and critique the extant research, and delineate areas in need of further empirical investigation.

Acupuncture Therapy↗