Music Relaxation Research Articles

Effects of cognitive behavioral intervention on fear of disease progression and negative emotion in patients with glioma

Objective To explore the effects of cognitive behavioral intervention on fear of disease progression and negative emotionin patients with glioma. Methods A total of 60 eligible patients with glioma who were treated in neurosurgery department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January to October 2016 were randomly divided into experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30) according to random number table. The control group received routine care, and the experimental group patients received cognitive behavioral intervention for 12 weeks on the basis of routine care. Cognitive assessment and cognitive reconstruction were performed to achieve cognitive intervention by interviews, lectures and other forms. Behavioral intervention was achieved by musical relaxation training and personalized exercise programs for the patients. The patients were evaluated with the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) , Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) on the admission day, 1 week after surgery and 3 months after surgery to compare the fear of disease progression and negative emotion of the two groups. Results Repeated measurement analysis of variance showed that with the extension of time, the anxiety and depression scores of the two groups were decreased, and the score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group. The differences were statistically significant (P 0.05) . The score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 3 months after intervention, with statistical difference (P<0.05) . Conclusions There were different degrees of fear of progression and negative emotions in patients with glioma at different stages of disease. Cognitive behavioral intervention can effectively alleviate the fear of disease progression, anxiety and depression in patients with glioma, and it is worthy of clinical promotion. Key words: Glioma; Anxiety; Depression; Fear of progression; Cognitive behavioral intervention

Adolescents’ musical relaxation: understanding related affective processing

ABSTRACTMusic listening promotes adolescents’ well-being and relaxation in daily life. Relaxation is linked to affective self-regulation, but little is known about the specific affective processes of musical relaxation. The current study aimed to elaborate the affective dimension of adolescents’ musical relaxation, through detailed exploration of the related affect regulation goals, strategies, and induction mechanisms. A qualitative study with 55 adolescents (42 girls, 13 boys), aged 15, was conducted. Participants listened to self-selected relaxation music for 20 min, once in a laboratory and once at home, and provided written descriptions of their experience. A total of 110 episode descriptions were analyzed using summative, directed, content analysis for identifying typical patterns and interactions between the underlying concepts. Three major strategies (processing, distraction, induction) and two mechanisms (musical and mental) were identified. Processing was supported by both mechanisms, while distraction and induction predominantly by the musical mechanism. Change from negative to positive mood was particularly realized through musical distraction, while pure positive emotion induction was equally supported by all strategies and mechanisms. The analysis revealed clear patterns of how affect regulation strategies and induction mechanisms interrelate and serve different outcomes as part of adolescents’ relaxation. The findings provide conceptual clarification and theoretical grounds for understanding how affective processes function in musical relaxation. The discussion is performed in light of prior research and broader understanding of music as part of adolescents’ affective processing and self-regulation.

Intervention effect of yoga combined with music relaxation training on cancer related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objective To explore the intervention effect of yoga combined with music relaxation training on cancer related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods By convenience sampling method, a total of 89 inpatients with breast cancer after chemotherapy in our hospital from June 2015 to June 2016 were selected and were divided into 4 groups by random number table. Patients in the control group (n=23) were given routine nursing care. Based on routine nursing care, patients in experimental group 1 (n=20) received music relaxation training and patients in experimental group 2 (n=24) received yoga training, while patients in experimental group 3 (n=22) received music relaxation training combined with yoga. One month after continuous intervention, cancer fatigue scale (CFS) was applied to measure the degree of fatigue in four groups. Results Before intervention, the fatigue of patients in 4 groups had no difference (P>0.05) . After intervention, the scores of CFS in the control group was (25.65±5.79) , in experiment group 1 was (22.60±6.75) , in experiment group 2 was (22.08±6.57) , in experiment group 3 was (21.17±5.53) (F=12.395, P<0.001) . The scores of CFS in experiment group 2 and experiment group 3 were statistically decreased compared with those before intervention (t=2.089, 2.708; P<0.05) . Conclusions Yoga combined with music relaxation training can effectively alleviate the cancer related fatigue of breast cancer patients after chemotherapy, and the curative effect is better than single music training and yoga intervention. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Yoga; Music therapy; Cancer related fatigue

中国公务员的心理健康状况：音乐放松训练的调节作用

随着经济和社会发展，公务员心理健康问题日益突出。本研究旨在考察公务员基于SCL-90、抑郁自评量表和焦虑自评量表的心理健康状况，以及音乐放松训练对公务员心理健康的调节与干预。结果发现：(1) 公务员心理健康状况较正常人差, 两者在绝大多数因子上差异显著，主要表现在抑郁、焦虑和躯体化得分上；(2) 音乐放松训练后，公务员的心理健康状况有所改善，抑郁和焦虑水平下降。研究表明音乐放松训练是一种调节公务员心理健康的有效的方式与手段。 With the development and progress of society, the mental health of Chinese civil servants has be-come acute. The present study aimed to explore the mental health of Chinese civil servants by using SCL-90, SDS and SAS. In addition, we adopted music relaxation training to manipulate the mental health of Chinese civil servants. The results showed: 1) the mental health of Chinese civil servants was worse than normal; 2) after one-month’s music relaxation training, the depression and anxiety of Chinese civil servants were reduced. These results suggest that music relaxation training is an appropriate manner to manipulate the mental health of Chinese civil servants.

Muzykoterapia i jej właściwości w usprawnianiu dziecka z autyzmem

The article presents the outlines of the research and the conclusions based on the author’s PhD dissertation. It touches upon the influence of music therapy techniques on the improvement of a development of autistic children, especially in terms of communication as well as their social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral development. The researcher presents and compares two undirective methods: Music therapy and Growth through Play System (GPS). Among many therapeutic applications of music, the most significant ones are chosen and analysed: improvisation, re-creation, composition and listening associated with musical relaxation. The results are presented in the form of an evaluation which therapy is the most beneficial for autistic children and their holistic development.

Effects of music and grade consequences on test anxiety and performance.

Many undergraduate college students experience higher than normal levels of anxiety owing to a variety of stressors, including the academic demands of their studies, homesickness, alcohol, peer pressure, and a novel independent financial life (e.g., Butler, Dodge, & Faurote, 2010; Conley & Lehman, 2012; Hamaideh, 2011; Verger et al., 2009). The current study will examine whether listening to calming music lowers students' anxiety in testing situations.Test Anxiety and Grade ConsequencesAnxiety is a human emotion that persists in reaction to fear, uncertainty, or threat in the environment. Several attempts to conceptualize and classify anxiety have been primed, one of which is the state-trait function (Spielberger, 1972, 1983). State anxiety is an acute reaction to a particular situation that appears to be uncertain or threatening, inducing stress on the individual. Trait anxiety refers to the permanent tendency to react with state anxiety due to anticipation of stressful events. Both of these classifications can be further broken into hierarchal catalogs. One subset of the state brand is test anxiety, which encompasses anxiety when under evaluation or in testing situations. This construct is a physiological and psychological response to concern over poor test performance and its implications. Empirical literature advocates that test anxiety negatively affects student academic performance in high school and college students through several methods. In particular, cognitive interference and worry caused by test anxiety before examinations may lead to poor understanding of test material and study habits, as well as inhibit adequate performance during tests (Carden, Bryant, & Moss, 2004; Cassady & Johnson, 2002; Chapell et al., 2005).Relieving AnxietyOne anxiety-relieving strategy that is used universally in human nature is music. The findings from research on the impact of music in occupational settings revealed that a single music relaxation session decreased participants' state anxiety significantly, compared to a control group with no music therapy (Smith, 2008). These results support the idea that music can serve as a relaxation tool in occupational settings. Not only did participants have feelings of reduced tension but also a sense of pleasantness. The results support the idea that music can help workers reduce anxiety that is normally associated with workplace environments. The calming effect of music has a positive impact on a person's mood and quality of work, as well as an increase in perceived level of relaxation that may help the person focus on performance (Labbe, Schmidt, Babin, & Pharr, 2007; Lesiuk, 2005).Music therapy has many demonstrated applications. Transplant (Madson & Silverman, 2010), Alzheimer's (Guetin et al., 2009), and mechanical ventilation (Han et al., 2010) patients have all had a positive reaction to music therapy. The Madison and Silverman study measured anxiety with verbalization from the patient as well a Likert-type scale, and the Guetin et al. study issued the Hamilton Scale to assess the patients' levels of anxiety.The Han et al. study used the State Trait Anxiety Scale but also evaluated physiological measurements like respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR). HR and blood pressure (Duan, Xiao, Zhao, & Zhu, 2008) have been shown to be physiologic indices of anxiety. Therefore, one could predict that if anxiety were to be alleviated, so would the cardiovascular consequences. Numerous studies have shown that music therapy can reduce such physiological measures as SBP and HR, as well as other negative effects of anxiety (Han et al., 2010; Knight & Rickard, 2001; Tse, Chan, & Benzie, 2005).Music and Cognitive PerformanceAdditional research on the positive effects of music has explored its influence on cognitive performance. Many researchers have found that people perform better on spatial cognitive tasks after listening to 10 min of Mozart than after sitting in silence (e. …

Effects of music relaxation video on pain and anxiety for women with gynaecological cancer receiving intracavitary brachytherapy: a randomised controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of music relaxation video on pain severity, opioid utilisation, and anxiety experienced by women with gynaecological cancer undergoing intracavitary brachytherapy. A two-group randomised controlled trial was conducted in an academic comprehensive cancer centre. Sixty women were randomly assigned to either an experimental group ( n = 31) that watched a 30-minute music relaxation video four times (total 120 minutes) or a control group ( n = 29) that received standard nursing care during the first 44 hours of the intracavitary brachytherapy. Data were collected to evaluate the effects on pain severity, opioid utilisation and anxiety between groups. Pain scores were measured before and after patients watched the 30-minute music relaxation video and anxiety scores were measured following the video. The amount of opioid consumption was recorded during the 44-hour treatment. Data were tested using ANOVA and t-test. Perceived pain reduction was statistically significant in the experimental group ( p = 0.027), but this did not translate into lower total consumption of opioids between the two study groups. Anxiety level reduction was statistically significant in the experimental group ( p = 0.001). Music relaxation videos hold promise to be used in conjunction with standard pharmacologic therapy to reduce perceived pain and anxiety levels during the treatments.

Review: Effects of music relaxation video on pain and anxiety for women with gynaecological cancer receiving intracavitary brachytherapy: a randomised controlled trial

Review: Effects of music relaxation video on pain and anxiety for women with gynaecological cancer receiving intracavitary brachytherapy: a randomised controlled trial

History of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Research: A Personal and Scientific Voyage

This paper reviews the history of heart rate variability biofeedback. Interest in the method has evolved from several directions, eventually mutually influencing each other, and often through workshops provided by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. My own work was influenced by long-term use of the technique in Russia, and from research by Evgeny Vaschillo using transfer function analysis among heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, to show how the technique stimulates the baroreflex; also by Richard Gevirtz in frequent workshops given together. Work at the HeartMath Institute independently evolved from experience with music relaxation and “heartfelt emotion,” and other research evolved from American psychophysiological research. Brief descriptions of the development of interest and work in this field are provided by Richard Gevirtz, Rollin McCraty (HeartMath), Fredric Shaffer, and Robert Nolan, as well as myself.

The effects of music relaxation and muscle relaxation techniques on sleep quality and emotional measures among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder with lifetime prevalence of 7.8%, is characterized by symptoms that develop following exposure to traumatic life events and that cause an immediate experience of intense fear, helplessness or horror. PTSD is marked by recurrent nightmares typified by the recall of intrusive experiences and by extended disturbance throughout sleep. Individuals with PTSD respond poorly to drug treatments for insomnia. The disadvantages of drug treatment for insomnia underline the importance of non-pharmacological alternatives. Thus, the present study had three aims: first, to compare the efficiency of two relaxation techniques (muscular relaxation and progressive music relaxation) in alleviating insomnia among individuals with PTSD using both objective and subjective measures of sleep quality; second, to examine whether these two techniques have different effects on psychological indicators of PTSD, such as depression and anxiety; and finally, to examine how initial PTSD symptom severity and baseline emotional measures are related to the efficiency of these two relaxation methods. Thirteen PTSD patients with no other major psychiatric or neurological disorders participated in the study. The study comprised one seven-day running-in, no-treatment period, followed by two seven-day experimental periods. The treatments constituted either music relaxation or muscle relaxation techniques at desired bedtime. These treatments were randomly assigned. During each of these three experimental periods, subjects' sleep was continuously monitored with a wrist actigraph (Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc.), and subjects were asked to fill out several questionnaires concerned with a wide spectrum of issues, such as sleep, depression, and anxiety. Analyses revealed a significant increase in objective and subjective sleep efficiency and a significant reduction in depression level following music relaxation. Moreover, following music relaxation, a highly significant negative correlation was found between improvement in objective sleep efficiency and reduction in depression scale. The study's findings provide evidence that music relaxation at bedtime can be used as treatment for insomnia among individuals with PTSD.

Effect of Indian Music on Level of Death Anxiety among Institutionalized Old Age Persons

Death anxiety refers to the fear and apprehension of one's own death. It is the neurotic fears of loss the self which in intense state parallels feelings of helplessness and depression. In old age, people must confront the possibility of their own death as well as the death of loved ones. Death most commonly occurs in later years (Mimrot, 2011). Research references indicated that institutionalized old age person frequently suffers a loss of individuality and diminish selfworth. Loss of self worth can lead to depression, which the most common psychological problem is found in the institutionalized elderly population (Cunningham & Brrokband, 1988,Papaliaet al., 1996) Privacy is at a premium in nursing homes. Residents are under continual supervision by staff but paradoxically many are deprived of meaningful social contact and feel isolated. In addition, the ability to make personal choices is often several limited in nursing homes. Lack of choice is one component of the dehumanization often felt by elderly people living in nursing homes (Weiner et al., 1987). The good resident is one who conforms to the rules and does not make too many demands. People who are elderly and confined to nursing homes frequently suffer a loss of individuality and diminished selfworth (Hilliard, 2005). Finally, there is the belief that a nursing home is a place to wait for death. It is so wonder that many of the residents feel depressed, isolated and socially aloof from one another and from the staff. (William, 1995)Music therapists use methods suchas song writing, improvisation, guided imagery and music, lyric analysis, singing, instrument playing and music therapy relaxation techniques to treat the many needs of patients and families receiving care. Needs often treated by music therapists in end-of-life care include the social e.g. isolation, loneliness, boredom (Clements, 2003 & Cunliffe, 2003), emotional e.g. depression, anxiety, anger, fear, frustration (O'Callaghan 1993, 1996), cognitive e.g. neurological impairments, disorientation, confusion (Salmon 1995 & Hilliard 2003), physical e.g. pain, shortness of breath (Krout, 2001) and spiritual e.g. lack of spiritual connection, need for spiritually-based rituals (Magill 2001 & Mandel 1993). Music therapy has been used successfully formany years for rehabilitation programs for the elderly especially for those persons confined to institutionalized homes. It promotes social interaction, improves reality orientation, improves self esteem, promotes relaxation and reduces stress, anxiety (Aldridge & Aldridge 1992). Literature supporting the use of music therapy in old age care is growing. However, the number of quantitative research studies investigating the use of music therapy in death anxiety, is limited.Keeping these views, the present research project was to examine the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing death anxiety for institutionalized elderly persons.ProblemIn the light of above review and views, an attempt is made to find out an impact of Indian Music on level of death anxiety among institutionalized old age persons.Hypothesis of the studyLevel of depression will be managed among institutionalized old age persons through Indian Music. This hypothesis is based on Clements, 2004, Mimrot, 2011, Thompson and Grocke, 2007 studies.DesignIt is a quasi-experimental research in which musical package is worked as Independent Variable and perception of death anxiety is Dependent Variable. Pre and post design was used to find out how musical package manages perception of death anxiety among institutionalized old age persons. 90 days musical package for 45 minutes duration was presented to a group of old age persons twice a day i.e., one session in morning (before breakfast) and another is in evening (before dinner) at their old age home only. Those old age persons, who were staying from more than one year in old age home, were selected and none of them was having any Psychiatric and Psychological problem. …

Effect of nursing intervention therapy on the symptoms of patients suffering from stomch cancer

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing intervention on anxiety and adverse reactions in stomach cancer patients.Methods One hundred and twenty stomach cancer patients were divided into intervention group and control group.The patients in the intervention group received music therapy,and health belief model on the basis of routine nursing care.Individuals in control group were treated only with routine nursing care.State Anxiety Inventory was administered.Results State anxiety score in intervention group was lower than that in control group(P ＜ 0.05);Among them the interention group anorexia was 2.10％,and 4.25％ in control group,comparative differencos between tow groups were statistically significant(x2 =5.08,P =0.031).Conclusions Health belief model and music relaxation therapy can alleviate adverse reactions and anxious of patients. Key words: Stomach neoplasm; Comprehensive nursing intervention; Physiological reaction

Music Relaxation Video and Pain Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial for Women Receiving Intracavitary Brachytherapy for Gynecological Cancer

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effects of music relaxation videos (MRV) on pain severity, opioid consumption, and anxiety level for patients receiving pulsed-dose-rate (PDR) intracavitary brachytherapy for gynecologic cancers.

Effect of music and mood relaxation training for anxiety reduction in patients with breast tumor before operation

Objective To evaluate the effect of music and mood relaxation training for the anxiety in patients with breast tumor before operation. Methods With case-contrast method, 108 patients with breast tumor (52 patients with intervention, 56 with routine treatment) week assessed continuously. All cases were investigated on their common information, physiological indexes and psychological scales, including State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Form Y), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and Eysenck Personality Questionaire (EPQ). Results There were significant statistical difference in systolic pressure and pulse rate between two groups on one day (t =3.114, P ＜0.01) and 30-60 minutes (t =3.03, P=0.01) before the operation. There was remarkable difference for anxiety between two groups and among different interventions periods by Repeated Measures ANOVA analysis (Periods: F=18.61, P ＜0.01; Groups: F =7.001, P ＜0.05). Results of Stepwise regression analysis: The influencing factors on anxiety in patients with breast tumor before operation were trait anxiety, breast-feeding history, family history of breast tumor, age, economy and EPQ-N. Conclusion Relaxation music and mood relaxation training can reduce the level of anxiety and related physiological indexes on patients with breast tumor before operation. The influencing factors on anxiety in patients with breast tumor before operation are multi level factors, such as trait anxiety, breast-feeding history and so on. Key words: Breast tumor; , patients anxiety music and mood relaxation training

The Effects of Music Relaxation on Sleep Quality and Emotional Measures in People Living with Schizophrenia

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of music relaxation on insomnia and emotional measures in people living with schizophrenia. Twenty-four people living with schizophrenia participated in the study. The study involved a 7-day running-in no-treatment period, followed by a 7-day experimental period. Treatment consisted of music relaxation played at bedtime. During each of these periods, participants' sleep was continuously monitored with a wrist actigraph, and participants completed a wide spectrum of questionnaires. Results showed an improvement in sleep latency and sleep efficiency after the music relaxation was played. Likewise, music relaxation was shown to improve participants' total psychopathology score (PANSS) as well as their level of depression. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between reduction in level of situational anxiety and improvement in sleep efficiency. The findings suggest the beneficial effect of music relaxation as a treatment both for insomnia and for emotional measures in people living with schizophrenia.

The Effect of Music Relaxation versus Progressive Muscular Relaxation on Insomnia in Older People and Their Relationship to Personality Traits

A large percentage of older people suffer from chronic insomnia, affecting many aspects of life quality and well-being. Although insomnia is most often treated with medication, a growing number of studies demonstrate the efficiency of various relaxation techniques. The present study had three aims: first, to compare two relaxation techniques--music relaxation and progressive muscular relaxation--on various objective and subjective measures of sleep quality; second, to examine the effect of these techniques on anxiety and depression; and finally, to explore possible relationships between the efficiency of both techniques and personality variables. Fifteen older adults took part in the study. Following one week of base-line measurements of sleep quality, participants followed one week of music relaxation and one week of progressive muscular relaxation before going to sleep. Order of relaxation techniques was controlled. Results show music relaxation was more efficient in improving sleep. Sleep efficiency was higher after music relaxation than after progressive muscular relaxation. Moreover, anxiety was lower after music relaxation. Progressive muscular relaxation was related to deterioration of sleep quality on subjective measures. Beyond differences between the relaxation techniques, extraverts seemed to benefit more from both music and progressive muscular relaxation. The advantage of non-pharmacological means to treat insomnia, and the importance of taking individual differences into account are discussed.

Systematic Evaluation of Relaxation Circumstances Based on Bio-neurological Signals

The widespread use of relaxation technique amongst medicine community and sustained work environments makes a more complete understanding of its physiological effects. This research proposes a systematic evaluation for relaxation circumstances, which consists of subjective evidence and objective evidence. Innovative feature of this evaluation system is adding bio-neurological signals to support previous findings about relaxation circumstances. A work-rest schedule containing mental calculation and music relaxation is specially designed to reflect effect of prolonged cognitive work and relaxation in mental work environments. The results indicate that short period of music relaxation in sustained mental work is effective to counteract the accumulation of mental fatigue and improve work efficiency. This systematic evaluation method can be widely applicable, in medical fields, working environments and daily life for the purpose of prediction, detection and evaluation of human states.

Controlled pilot study of the effects of neuromuscular therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease

The objectives of this study is to examine the effects of neuromuscular therapy (NMT) on motor and nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Thirty-six subjects with PD were randomly assigned to NMT or music relaxation (MR, or active control). Subjects received treatment twice a week for 4 weeks. Testing was conducted at baseline, after final treatment, and 8 days after final treatment. Primary outcome measures were the Motor subscale of the United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI-Change). Secondary outcome measures included a PD-specific quality of life scale (PDQ-39), quantitative measures of motor function, and severity scales for anxiety and depression symptoms. NMT resulted in a significant and sustained improvement in the Motor subscale of the UPDRS (P < or = 0.0001), most notable in the tremor scores. Also improved 1 week after the last treatment were the CGI scores (P = 0.007) and the finger-tapping speed (P = 0.001). The MR active control group had a slight improvement in tremor but evidenced no other change in motor function. Both groups exhibited a modest improvement in quality of life immediately after the last treatment. This effect was sustained for 8 days only in the MR group. In the nonmotor domains, the MR group evidenced improvements in mood (P = 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.002), whereas NMT had no effect on mood (P = 0.09), and its initial effect on anxiety (P = 0.0009) dissipated after 8 days (P = 0.40). Group differences for UPDRS motor score and patient CGI-Change were superior in the NMT compared to the MR group. There was no group difference in PDQ-39 scores or in nonmotor measures. The findings suggest that NMT can improve motor and selected nonmotor symptoms in PD and that this effect is more durable for the motor symptoms. The results of this pilot study warrant larger controlled studies to examine dose range, durability, and mechanisms of NMT in PD function.

Analysis for the therapeutic effect of musical relaxation therapy on the psychological problems of rectal cancer patients

目的 探讨音乐松静疗法在直肠癌患者中的应用价值,寻找一种治疗直肠癌患者心理问题的有效方法.方法采用音乐松静疗法对60例直肠癌患者进行治疗.治疗前后采用临床症状自评量表对患者进行问卷测评.结果治疗前直肠癌患者的心理状况与国内常模比较,有明显的差异性.治疗前后比较,治疗后各症状因子均分较治疗前有明显下降.结论音乐松静疗法是一种有效地解决直肠癌患者心理问题的治疗方法。

A Comparison of the Snoezelen Environment and a Music Relaxation Group on the Mood and Behaviour of Patients with Senile Dementia

Relaxation for elderly people is one of the more complicated activities to achieve with a client group who have limited cognitive abilities, particularly those with senile dementia. The deterioration in cognitive function and orientation may lead to agitation and frustration with their perceived situation. Consequently, this makes directed relaxation a difficult activity to facilitate. Following research of Snoezelen carried out at the King's Park Community Hospital, Bournemouth, the need to test the effectiveness of Snoezelen in manipulating mood had been identified. It was further identified that comparisons should be made between more conventional relaxation groups and Snoezelen. Three moderately demented female subjects were studied during a 9-week period. Observations were made on their behaviour and affect. The results indicated that the principles of Snoezelen could be used in many settings, making it a versatile medium. However, its effectiveness was dependent on the patient's cognitive skill level.