Progressive Muscular Relaxation Research Articles

Cardio-respiratory response of young adult Indian male subjects to stress: Effects of progressive muscle relaxation

<b>Background:</b> Stress and anxiety have become an integral part of our lives. Of late, this has resulted in the increase in incidence of hypertension and coronary heart disease. <b>Objectives:</b> To assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on young adult males and its role in the modulation of cardio-respiratory response on exposure to stress. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care referral hospital. Undergraduate male students under stress were chosen for the study. Fasting blood samples were drawn to analyze sugar and lipid profile, followed by anthropometric measurements and ECG. In the resting condition, blood pressure, pulse rate, and spirometric parameters; forced vital capacities (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV ₁ %) were measured. Then, they were made to exercise with bicycle ergometer and post exercise, the vital parameters were recorded. All subjects were given a training of Jacobson's Progressive Muscular Relaxation and asked to practice this technique for 3 months. All parameters were re-evaluated. <b>Results:</b> Significant decreases in resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of subjects were seen after PMR training. Exercise-induced rise in heart rate and blood pressure were also significantly less in subjects following PMR training. <b>Conclusion:</b> Progressive muscle relaxation helps in modulation of heart rate, blood pressure, and lipid profile in healthy normal adult male individuals.

Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Mental Skills of Volleyball Players

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of progressive muscle relaxation technique on mental skills of volleyball players. To obtain data for this study, the investigators had selected 20 male subjects were selected randomly from L.N.U.P.E volleyball match practice group in which 10 subjects were in experimental group and 10 subjects acted as control group. The purposive sampling technique was used to obtain the required data. To measure the level of mental skills of the subjects, the mental skills questionnaire constructed by Hardy and Nelson was administered. Analysis of covariance was used to determine significant differences for dependent variables within the two groups. When a significant difference among the group was observed, a pair wise comparison of the groups was done by using post-hoc test to indentify direction and significant differences between the groups. The level of significance was set at 0.05 in order to test the differences to be considered significant. The results revealed that progressive muscular relaxation technique was effective in improving the imagery ability, mental preparation and concentration ability and mental skill of subjects. Though the pre-test and post-test mean difference between control groups has shown marginal improvement as mean difference was found respectively.

Immediate Effect of Jacobson's Progressive Muscular Relaxation in Hypertension

Objective: To study the effectiveness of Jacobson's relaxation techniques as an adjunct therapy in control of hypertension. Design: A Experimental study. Setting: Constituent colleges of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (Deemed University) and the colleges of Pravara Rural Education Society in the vicinity. Cardio-respiratory Physiotherapy Department, College of Physiotherapy & Pravara Rural Hospital (Tertiary Hospital), Loni, Tal- Rahata, Dist- Ahmednagar , Maharashtra State, India- 413 736. Participants: A total of 250 college teachers were screened for hypertension. Out of which 105 subjects were found suitable and willing for participation in the study. Interventions: Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation lying in supine position for 30 minutes. Main outcome measures: Blood pressure and Heart rate. Results: Significant difference was noted in systolic & diastolic blood pressure and heart rate immediately after 30 minutes of Jacobson's progressive muscular relaxation technique. Conclusions: Jacobson's progressive muscular relaxation may be used as an adjuvant therapy for immediate control of hypertension. Clinical Trial Registration Number: (PMT/PIMS/RC/ 2012/06)

Evidence-based stress management: focusing on nonpharmacological procedure which reduce stress and promote health

In modern society, stress is one of the most significant problems affecting physical as well as mental health. Stress, which is defined as a situation in which the homeostasis of the physiological system of one's mind and body is threatened, is composed of two concepts: stressors and stress reactions. A stressor is the stimulus that is perceived as a threat and arouses a stress reaction, such as a disaster or serious life event. Stress reactions are physical and mental symptoms, for example, chest tightness, dizziness, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, headache, and agitation, which are mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and stress hormones such as cortisol. These reactions, along with stress-related unhealthy behaviors, result in serious chronic diseases, including cancers and cardiovascular disease. Stress coping methods are classified into two components: cognitive behavioral interventions for stressors and mind-body interventions to reduce the stress response. Various interventions have been identified: progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, relaxation response, biofeedback, the emotional freedom technique, guided imagery, diaphragmatic breathing, transcendental meditation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Meditation and progressive muscular relaxation are wellknown and widely used procedures to reduce the stress response and to improve quality of life. Further studies to establish an evidence-based standardized program that can be easily applied at the individual level are needed.

Effects of progressive muscular relaxation training on anxiety, depression and quality of life of endometriosis patients under gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist therapy

To explore the effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training on anxiety, depression and quality of life (QOL) of endometriosis patients under gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy. This was a controlled, randomized, open-label study. One hundred consecutive Han Chinese endometriosis patients, aged 18-48 years, were randomly assigned to a PMR group (n=50) and a control group (n=50). In a study of 12 weeks' duration, both groups received one dose of depot leuprolide, 11.25mg IM. In addition to the GnRH agonist therapy, the PMR group received 12 weeks of PMR training. Anxiety level was measured using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Depression was assessed using subscale D of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS-D). Health-related QOL was measured with SF-36 instrument. The patients were evaluated with STAI, HADS-D and SF-36 before and after the PMR intervention. The control group and the PMR group were comparable at baseline. After 12 weeks of intervention, both groups showed significant improvement in overall QOL (P<0.05). The PMR group, but not the control group, showed significant improvement in state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression after intervention (P<0.05). Moreover, the PMR group showed significant improvement in all QOL domains after intervention; by contrast, the control group showed significant improvement in all physical health domains and only two mental health domains after intervention. Between-group comparisons of the improvement in scores after intervention showed that the PMR group had significantly better improvement in the scores of anxiety, depression and overall/domain QOL than the control group (P<0.05). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that both PMR intervention and time had significant individual as well as interactive effects on state anxiety, trait anxiety depression and overall QOL (P<0.05). This study suggests that PMR training is effective in improving anxiety, depression and QOL of endometriosis patients under GnRH agonist therapy. This is the first study to explore the effects of psychosomatic therapy on emotional status and QOL of endometriosis patients, and may serve as an important reference for future psychosomatic interventions on endometriosis.

Measuring the stress of the surgeons in training and use of a novel interventional program to combat it

PurposeStress poses a serious risk for training surgeons since their performance and well-being in reflected in patients' health. This study focuses on measuring the stress of training surgeons and at the same time evaluates prospectively the results of an innovative program that uses alternative techniques to combat the effects of stress.MethodsThe study was a pilot randomized controlled trial, with a duration of 6 months. Participants were allocated to a control and an intervention group. Trainees then completed three questionnaires, quality of life, perceived stress scale (PSS) and job content questionnaire serving as a baseline measurement. Only the intervention group used diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscular relaxation techniques, twice a day, for 20 minutes each, and for a total period of eight weeks. At the end of the study, the same questionnaires were completed again by both groups.ResultsThe sample of the study included 28 and 32 trainees in the control and the intervention group, respectively. The Cronbach's α value for the PSS stress-measuring questionnaire was 0.772. The intervention group presented statistically significant lower values of stress (30.50, P < 0.05) in comparison to the control group (27.54).ConclusionThe medical community, and especially surgeons, have been reluctant up to now to embrace interventional programs that go beyond the traditional use of medication in order to address stress related issues. The positive results and feedback from small studies, such as ours, can provide the driving force for further research that will give us solid, evidence-based, answers.

Effects of Psychological Interventions on Regulating Pre-Competition Mood States in Malaysian Volleyball Players

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.&#x0D; The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of three psychological intervention strategies in regulating the pre-competition mood states among volleyball players with matching hypothesis. The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) was employed to examine the pre-competition mood states patterning of its six sub-scales during the time leading up to competition. Participants were the youth state volleyball players (N=96; boys = 48, girls = 48; Age: M=16.35 yr., SD = .89 yr.) competing in the Under 18 National School Sport Council of Malaysia Volleyball Tournament 2008. The Competitive Sport Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised (CSAI-2R) was employed to collect the baseline data two months prior to the official competition during the first meeting. The group with the highest group mean scores in cognitive anxiety component was assigned to a cognitive intervention group (n = 24) in which participants underwent breathing technique &amp; autogenic relaxation with music lasting for 30 minutes per session; the group with the highest group mean scores in somatic anxiety component (n=24) completed the somatic intervention with progressive muscular relaxation lasting for 30 minutes; the selfconfidence intervention group which rated the lowest mean group scores in self-confidence component carried out the intervention with positive self-talk and goal setting exercises lasting 30 minutes; and a control group (n = 24). Results of this study revealed that the cognitive intervention was the most effective intervention followed by the somatic intervention in regulating the bad mood states and facilitating the good mood states prior to competition. Similarly, the self-confidence intervention was able to facilitate the vigour sub-scale prior to competition.&#x0D; 本研究的目的是探討三項心理調節策略的成效，對排球運動員賽前情緒狀態調節之間的匹配假說。在即將面對激烈的競賽期間採用布魯內爾情緒量表(BRUMS)，以觀察賽前情緒狀態模式的六個因素。參與者是參加18歲以下全國學校體育委員會2008年馬來西亞排球錦標賽的各州少年排球運動員(N = 96；男生 = 48，女生= 48；年齡：M = 16.35歲，SD = .89歲。)。在正式比賽前兩個月的第一次會議中，採用競賽狀態焦慮量表第二修訂版(CSAI-2R)收集了基線資料。在認知焦慮部分獲平均得分最高的組別， 其參與者被分配到認知調節組 (n = 24)，在每節30分鐘的音樂播放下經歷呼吸技巧和自生放鬆; 在軀體焦慮部分獲平均得分最高的組別(n = 24)以持續30分鐘的漸進性肌肉放鬆完成了軀體調節；在自信心部分平均數排名最低的自信心調節組，則開展了持續30分鐘以積極的自我對話和目標設置練習作調節; 對照組 (n = 24)。本研究結果顯示，認知調節能於比賽前最有效地介入調節不良情緒狀態和促進良好的情緒狀態，其次是軀體調節。同樣，自信心調節能夠在比賽前促進活力因素。

Heart rate turbulence in patients with previous myocardial infarction and history of malignant ventricular arrhythmias— with regard to left ventricle function

Background: There is little information regarding the dynamics of electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters during any relaxation technique in post–myocardial infarction patients. We sought to determine whether there are any distinctive dynamics in ECG parameters variability during 2 different relaxation techniques. Methods: Twenty hospitalized men (age, 58.00 ± 7.07 years) participated in 2 laboratory sessions in which they practiced mindfulness body scan meditation (MBSM) and progressive muscular relaxation (PMR). A computerized ECG analysis system “Kaunas-load W03,” developed by the Institute of Cardiology of Kaunas Medical University, was applied for 12-lead ECG recording and analysis. Electrocardiogram was recorded for 30 minutes lying quietly: 5 minutes before, 20 minutes during, and 5 minutes after each performed technique. Participants listened via headphone to audiorecorded relaxation instructions: first practiced MBSM, during the second session participants practiced PMR. The dynamics in variability of durational indices (RR, dJT, dQRS) and amplitude indices (aR, aST1, aT1) were analyzed. All the data are presented as mean ± SEM. Results: Both relaxation techniques produce significant changes in analyzed ECG parameters. These changes in high-, low-, and very-low-frequency bands are significantly different from those produced by a period of just lying quietly. Total RR variability during MBSM increased 98.25 ± 20.72 ms, during PMR 107.25 ± 58.05 ms. Total dJT variability increased 16.8 ± 4.88 ms during MBSM and 19.8 ± 6.51 ms during PMR. Accordingly, total variability of dQRS increased 6.15 ± 1.48 and 11.55 ± 3.32 ms, with aR of 50.75 ± 10.96 and 101.75 ± 15.91 ms, aST1 of 22.15 ± 1.06 and 37.1 ± 7.78 ms, aT1 of 10.45 ± 3.01 and 19.8 ± 6.15 ms. Conclusion: Both relaxation techniques increase the variability of analyzed ECG parameters. The results indicate similarities in the ECG parameters variability responses to 2 different relaxation techniques.

Stress management and mind-body medicine: focusing on relaxation and meditation

Stress management is important and various stress management methods are required in the area of clinical preventive services. Although defining stress is somewhat complicated, stress can usually be divided into two concepts, stressors and the stress reaction. Stressors are stimuli that arouse the stress reaction. Examples are disasters, life events requiring changes, and everyday hassles. The stress reaction is often called the ‘fight or flight reaction’ and is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system and various hormones, including cortisol and catecholamine. Stress is closely related with health behaviors and several chronic diseases. Stress is measured using biological tests or self report, including questionnaires and interviews. Psychosocial Wellbeing Index-Short Form, Brief Ecounter PsychoSocial Instrument-Korean version, Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised are examples of questionnaires that are widely used in Korea. Stress coping methods are categorized into stimuli-oriented methods, cognitive-behavioral methods, and mind-body interventions. Relaxation and meditation are widely used mind-body medical interventions. Relaxation Response and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction are two of the most widely used meditative programs in the Western mainstream medical system. Abdominal breathing, Progressive Muscular Relaxation, relaxing imagery, Autogenic Training, and biofeedback are other well-known techniques for relaxation and stress management. Relaxation and meditation are effective in improving health behaviors and quality of life, and complement the treatment methods of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Relaxation and meditation also seem to be effective methods for use in clinical preventive services. Program development, standardization, and further study are necessary for more widespread use of mind-body interventions in the area of clinical preventive services.

Heart Rate Variability during two Relaxation Techniques in Post-MI Men

This study examines the short-term effect of two relaxation techniques on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with ischemic heart disease. The focus of our work was on whether progressive muscular relaxation and body scan meditation produce any reliable changes of HRV and whether these changes are any different from those produced by a comparable period of just lying quietly. A computerized ECG analysis system “Kaunas-load”, developed by the Institute of Cardiology of Kaunas Medical University, was applied for 12-lead ECG recording and analysis. ECG was recorded with the patient lying quietly for 5 min before each performed technique, for 20 min during each relaxation activity and for 5 min after each performed technique. Participants listened via headphone to audio-recorded relaxation instructions. The changes in HRV were analyzed. The results indicate both similarities and differences in the HRV responses to different relaxing activities.

The efficacy of relaxation training in treating anxiety.

INTRODUCTION Research, clinical experience and general community agents are promoting the re-evaluation of old and naive forms of therapy as alternatives or adjuncts to pharmacological approaches in variety of suffering conditions (Krisanaprakornkit, Krisanaprakornkit, Piyavhatkul, & Laopaiboon, 2006). Relaxation training is probably the most used non-pharmacological, both stand-alone and psychotherapy-combined approach for the treatment of many medical and psychological diseases. Among the wide range of non-conventional and sometimes doubtful treatments, relaxation-based methods such as meditation, progressive muscular relaxation, applied relaxation, mindfulness and autogenic training have received the greatest scientific attention and validation. For example, mindfulness training in pain, hypertension, myocardial ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, human immunodeficiency virus and substance abuse is presently under investigation in research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NTH) (Ludwig & Kabat-Zinn, 2008). Relaxation training is especially useful in treating stress and anxiety. Indeed, both the literature and dictionaries oppose relaxation to stress, anxiety or tension. Benson, one the most influential author in the field of relaxation, defined it as a state of decreased psycho-physiological arousal: calming state (Benson & Klipper, 1975). Anxiety is normal reaction to stress and represent common human emotion. But when anxiety becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it has became disabling disorder. According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition (DSM-IV), anxiety disorders are classified into many types, including Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, Social Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorders (APA, 2000). However, anxiety disorders constitute only the tail of the curve representing the general anxiety distress that affects the population (Manzoni, Pagnini, Castelnuovo, & Molinari, 2008). According to Zigmond and Snaith (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983), psychiatric disorder cannot be considered either present or absent since the degrees is continuously distributed in the population. In fact, complaints of anxiety are common among healthy individuals and have been associated with numerous negative health consequences (Balon, 2006; Muller, Koen, & Stein, 2005), absenteeism and decreased work productivity (Sanderson, Tilse, Nicholson, Oldenburg, & Graves, 2007). A broad understanding of the etiology of anxiety problems includes multiplicity of factors, such as biological, psychological and social determinants, which are moderated by range of risk and protective factors (Somers, Goldner, Waraich, & Hsu, 2006). The old debate over the primacy of these factors, overall biological or psychological, is gradually being replaced by pragmatic model considering all the relative contributions (Krisanaprakornkit, et al., 2006). In this paper we discuss the efficacy of relaxation training on anxiety both in clinical and community populations. RELAXATION TRAINING FOR ANXIETY Many studies have investigated the effects of relaxation training on anxiety in wide range of applications and research purposes. A recent meta-analysis on trials published within the last ten years (1997-2007) supports good efficacy of relaxation training in reducing anxiety (Manzoni, et al., 2008). State and trait anxiety (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970) are both influenced by training: each relaxation session may decrease state anxiety and the enduring practice of relaxation techniques may improve also trait anxiety in the middle-long term. There is no significant difference between the effects of group and individual training. The efficacy of the treatment increases with the duration of the protocol and with the request of home practice (Manzoni, et al. …

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English

What do people talk about during reflexology? Analysis of worries and concerns expressed during sessions for patients with multiple sclerosis

Our previous study evaluated the use of reflexology compared to progressive muscular relaxation in improving the psychological and physical profile associated with multiple sclerosis. In this paper audiotapes from the reflexology sessions have been analysed to give a picture of the nature of interaction between patients and therapists during treatment. A crossover design with two groups was chosen. Each participant received six sessions of both interventions. All reflexology sessions were recorded and the tapes transcribed and analysed. Analysis of the available audiotapes (n=245) revealed that reflexology provided opportunities for 48 out of the 50 participants to share worries and concerns. Recurring disclosure themes related to physical symptoms and treatment, psychological concerns, home/family worries, and work/leisure issues. Explorative analysis revealed some differences in the amount of disclosure over the weeks, between for example the participant's type of MS and time living with the diagnosis. Reflexology appears to have created a space for patients to talk about their worries and concerns, and to receive advice and support from the nurse therapists. This work contributes to the debate about the role of the therapeutic relationship within reflexology practice.

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.

Progressive muscular relaxation and motility of the small intestine: studies in normal subjects and patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Recordings of fasting duodenojejunal motor activity were obtained during a controlled 20-min period of psychological relaxation in 10 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 10 healthy subjects. The IBS group showed a significant decline in their level of arousal (on both cardiovascular and subjective measures) in response to relaxation; such alterations were minimal in the control group. Both groups, however, demonstrated significant inhibition of phase 2 activity (motility index, contractile frequency and amplitude) of the migrating motor complex in response to relaxation, and the magnitude of the response did not differ between the two groups. Clustered contractile activity present in 4 IBS patients was also suppressed during the relaxation period. There were no correlations between changes in the level of arousal and the degree of motor suppression in either IBS patients or controls. These findings demonstrate that psychological relaxation therapy can profoundly influence patterns of small bowel motility, and shed light on the mechanisms by which psychological intervention therapy appears to be effective in IBS.

Stress Management and Factors Related to the Deployment of Italian Peacekeepers in Afghanistan

This cross-sectional study evaluated the stress levels in Italian military personnel involved in a peacekeeping (PK) mission in Afghanistan and a homogeneous group stationed in Italy (SI group). The study was performed from April 2004 to June 2004 in a sample of 160 long-time, career volunteers of the Rossi Barracks of the Alpini di L'Aquila (Italy) (SI group, n=120; PK group, n=40). A 10-item, self-evaluation questionnaire proposed in the U.N. Stress Management Booklet was administered to each volunteer. The total item score (TIS) values for the 10 items for the two groups were calculated. These values were greater for the PK group than for the SI group for all 10 items. The TIS values were grouped into three classes of symptoms, anxiety symptoms (items 1-4), stress-induced depression (items 5-7), and posttraumatic stress (items 8-10). The class total item score (CTIS) values were then calculated as the sum of the respective TIS values. The three CTIS values for the PK group were greater than those for the SI group. In particular, the anxiety CTIS was 72 points greater in the PK group (p < 0.001). Therefore, the peacekeepers were inclined to have a greater increase in anxiety symptoms. Consequently, antipanic techniques could be used to reduce anxiety and progressive muscular relaxation training, an important preventive relaxation technique, to face stressors and to reduce clinical anxiety.

Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation

Recent research suggests that the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program has positive effects on health, but little is known about the immediate physiological effects of different components of the program. To examine the short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of one of the techniques employed in mindfulness meditation training, a basic body scan meditation. In Study 1, 32 healthy young adults (23 women, 9 men) were assigned randomly to either a meditation, progressive muscular relaxation or wait-list control group. Each participated in two laboratory sessions 4 weeks apart in which they practiced their assigned technique. In Study 2, using a within-subjects design, 30 healthy young adults (15 women, 15 men) participated in two laboratory sessions in which they practiced meditation or listened to an audiotape of a popular novel in counterbalanced order. Heart rate, cardiac respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and blood pressure were measured in both studies. Additional measures derived from impedance cardiography were obtained in Study 2. In both studies, participants displayed significantly greater increases in RSA while meditating than while engaging in other relaxing activities. A significant decrease in cardiac pre-ejection period was observed while participants meditated in Study 2. This suggests that simultaneous increases in cardiac parasympathetic and sympathetic activity may explain the lack of an effect on heart rate. Female participants in Study 2 exhibited a significantly larger decrease in diastolic blood pressure during meditation than the novel, whereas men had greater increases in cardiac output during meditation compared to the novel. The results indicate both similarities and differences in the physiological responses to body scan meditation and other relaxing activities.

A Comparison of Selected Osteopathic Treatment and Relaxation for Tension‐Type Headaches

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of osteopathic treatment and progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) exercises on patients with tension-type headache (TTH). Relaxation is generally accepted as a treatment for TTH. Osteopathy is considered by some practitioners to be useful for headache management but there is limited scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness. This study compares relaxation and relaxation plus selected osteopathic techniques in the treatment of people with TTH. This was a single-blind, randomized, clinical study using an experimental design. Twenty-nine patients with TTH according to the International Headache Classification Subcommittee, 2004, were recruited for this study and randomly placed in either a control or experimental group. Both groups practiced PMR exercises at home while the experimental group also received 3 osteopathic treatments. All participants recorded headache frequency and intensity in a headache diary (HD) for 2 weeks pretreatment, and continued recording during the treatment period until reassessment for a total of 6 to 7 weeks. All tests of significance were set at P</= .05. Twenty-six people completed the study. Results indicated that the number of Headache Free Days Per Week was significantly improved (P= .016) in the experimental group. Two other measures, the Headache Degree of Improvement (P= .075) and the HD rating (P= .059), which combine headache frequency and intensity, did not meet our criteria for statistical significance but both scores are <.10 indicating a trend toward improvement in the experimental group that is clinically significant. The HD Rating also showed that the experimental group improved 57.5%, while the control group improved 15.6%. The intensity of headache did not show a significant improvement (P= .264). The people in this study who did relaxation exercises and received 3 osteopathy treatments had significantly more days per week without headache than those who did only relaxation exercises.

A cognitive-behavioural group approach for the management of late-life insomnia: A pilot study

Older adults with chronic insomnia were treated in a small group setting. The treatment consisted of nine therapy sessions (including one-month follow-up session) which involved sleep education (SE), sleep hygiene (SH), stimulus control (SC) procedures, progressive muscular relaxation and cognitive therapy (CT). Sleep diaries and self-rating questionnaires showed an improvement in the amount of sleep, sleep onset and sleep hygiene. The group gained an understanding of normal sleep patterns in old age and showed a decrease of worrying cognitions regarding their inability to manage their sleep. They benefited from being in a group situation and expressed satisfaction about their current sleep pattern. Changes were maintained at one-month follow-up.These findings, taken in conjunction with previous reports, suggest that late-life insomnia can be effectively treated with a combined approach which includes a cognitive-behavioural group approach. However, considering the need to consolidate the skills for future relapses, it is suggested that further sessions should be provided, in particular when applying cognitive techniques. Additional research with larger samples is warranted.

Self‐hypnosis tapes for anxious cancer patients: an evaluation using Personalised Emotional Index (PEI) diary data

AbstractIn a preliminary study, two self‐hypnosis interventions delivered by audio‐tape in the privacy of their own homes were practised ad hoc by 27 cancer patients to alleviate acute anxiety ‘attacks’. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a tape teaching either progressive muscular relaxation or a light and slow breathing rhythm, both delivered in the context of hypnosis. Data on the incidence of acute anxiety episodes and ratings of both positive and negative emotions were collected prior to the intervention and post‐intervention using the Personalised Emotional Index (PEI) via daily diaries. Participants showed significant improvement in both incidence of acute anxiety episodes and emotional states, although only the Breathing Training group produced significant improvement in all three measures (more positive and less negative mood states and fewer anxiety ‘attacks’). Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis