The influence of two different sets of information and suggestions on the subjective effects of relaxation.

Abstract

The study compared the subjective effects of different relaxation techniques and their susceptibility to influence by information and suggestions provided by the trainers. Two groups of twelve subjects each were trained in autogenic training and in progressive relaxation successively. On three occasions during their training, each group was given one of two contrasting sets of information and suggestions concerning the subjective effects to be expected. At the end of training, differences in the subjective effects accompanying the two relaxation techniques were found but no significant effect of the contrasting sets of information and suggestions emerged. These results suggest that the subjective effects of relaxation were resistant to simple suggestions and, being more robust and real than often thought, could constitute a basis for differential indications of various relaxation methods.