Reduction In State Anxiety Research Articles

State anxiety and subjective well-being responses to acute bouts of aerobic exercise in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders

Objective: Acute aerobic exercise is associated with a reduction in state anxiety and an improvement in subjective well-being. The objective of the present study was to contrast the effects of...

The Use of Bigfoots Reduces State Anxiety in Novice Skiers

Novice skiers’ learning and performance is often hampered by the anxiety of falling. We investigated if the use of Bigfoot (i.e., short skis) for the first 4 of 10 days of a skiing course reduces anxiety. We surveyed state anxiety at the beginning and on the ninth day of the skiing course. Compared to a control group, which completed the course on normal skis, the Bigfoot group showed significantly reduced state anxiety on the ninth day, even though they had been performing on normal skis for the last 5 days.

Effects of music listening on adult patients' pre-procedural state anxiety in hospital

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Anticipation of an invasive procedure in hospital is likely to provoke feelings of anxiety and stress in patients. An unfamiliar environment, loss of control, perceived or actual physical risk, dependence on strangers and separation from friends and family are all factors that can contribute to the development of such feelings. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the anxiolytic potential of music listening in a variety of clinical settings, yet thus far, little is known about the impact of music listening on the pre-procedural patient population. A systematic review of all literature to date was indicated to improve understanding of outcomes and impact of music listening on pre-procedural anxiety, thus helping nurses decide whether or not to incorporate music listening into practice and to highlight a need, or otherwise, for a related primary research agenda. The objective of this review was to determine the best available evidence on the effectiveness of music listening in reducing adult hospital patients' pre-procedural state anxiety. Types of studies This review included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental research designs that examined the efficacy of music listening in reducing state anxiety among pre-procedural hospital patients published between January 1985 and February 2006. The search was limited to publications after 1985 to coincide with the increasing interest and use of complementary therapies within health care during the 1980s and 1990s. Types of participants Participants of interest to the review were adult day patients, ambulatory patients and inpatients who were about to undergo any type of clinical procedure. Types of intervention The review focused on studies that investigated pre-procedural music listening employed and prescribed as a potentially therapeutic activity. It excluded any other form of music therapy. Types of outcome measures The primary outcome measures examined were alterations in state anxiety and a variety of physiological variables such as blood pressure and respiration and heart rates. A search for published and unpublished literature between January 1985 and February 2006 was conducted using all major electronic databases. A three-step search strategy was devised which consisted of using high-precision MeSH terminology and keywords to ensure that all material relevant to the review was captured. CRITICAL APPRAISAL: The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by two reviewers, who appraised each study independently, using the standard Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted from the studies that were identified as meeting the criteria for methodological quality using a data-extraction tool developed for the review. Studies were grouped by outcome measure and summarised using tabular and narrative formats. The review demonstrated that state anxiety is defined and measured using both psychological and physiological parameters. Music listening had a consistently positive and statistically significant effect on reducing psychological parameters of pre-procedural state anxiety. However, the results from the measurement of various pre-procedural physiological parameters failed to reveal any consistent positive changes in patients who had listened to music. This calls into question the adequacy of the theories in this area which link anxiety and the automated and central nervous systems and the effect that music listening may have on these processes and physiological responses. 1 In order to reduce anxiety, it is likely that patients will benefit psychologically from having the opportunity to listen to music in the immediate pre-procedural period. 2 Patients do not appear to experience any alteration in physiological status as a result of listening to music. 3 Further research is indicated in order to replicate existing studies, to strengthen the evidence to support such interventions and to establish intervention parameters. 4 Further research is needed analysing the physiological mechanisms by which music listening is believed to reduce state anxiety and the contribution of the automated and other nervous systems to this reduction.

Effects of music listening on adult patientsʼ pre-procedural state anxiety in hospital

Background Anticipation of an invasive procedure in hospital is likely to provoke feelings of anxiety and stress in patients. An unfamiliar environment, loss of control, perceived or actual physical risk, dependence on strangers and separation from friends and family are all factors that can contribute to the development of such feelings. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the anxiolytic potential of music listening in a variety of clinical settings, yet thus far, little is known about the impact of music listening on the pre-procedural patient population. A systematic review of all literature to date was indicated to improve understanding of outcomes and impact of music listening on pre-procedural anxiety, thus helping nurses decide whether or not to incorporate music listening into practice and to highlight a need, or otherwise, for a related primary research agenda. Objective The objective of this review was to determine the best available evidence on the effectiveness of music listening in reducing adult hospital patients' pre-procedural state anxiety. Inclusion criteria Types of studies This review included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental research designs that examined the efficacy of music listening in reducing state anxiety among pre-procedural hospital patients published between January 1985 and February 2006. The search was limited to publications after 1985 to coincide with the increasing interest and use of complementary therapies within health care during the 1980s and 1990s. Types of participants Participants of interest to the review were adult day patients, ambulatory patients and inpatients who were about to undergo any type of clinical procedure. Types of intervention The review focused on studies that investigated pre-procedural music listening employed and prescribed as a potentially therapeutic activity. It excluded any other form of music therapy. Types of outcome measures The primary outcome measures examined were alterations in state anxiety and a variety of physiological variables such as blood pressure and respiration and heart rates. Search strategy A search for published and unpublished literature between January 1985 and February 2006 was conducted using all major electronic databases. A three-step search strategy was devised which consisted of using high-precision MeSH terminology and keywords to ensure that all material relevant to the review was captured. Critical appraisal The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by two reviewers, who appraised each study independently, using the standard Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Data extraction and synthesis Data were extracted from the studies that were identified as meeting the criteria for methodological quality using a data-extraction tool developed for the review. Studies were grouped by outcome measure and summarised using tabular and narrative formats. Results The review demonstrated that state anxiety is defined and measured using both psychological and physiological parameters. Music listening had a consistently positive and statistically significant effect on reducing psychological parameters of pre-procedural state anxiety. However, the results from the measurement of various pre-procedural physiological parameters failed to reveal any consistent positive changes in patients who had listened to music. This calls into question the adequacy of the theories in this area which link anxiety and the automated and central nervous systems and the effect that music listening may have on these processes and physiological responses. Conclusions/implications for practice In order to reduce anxiety, it is likely that patients will benefit psychologically from having the opportunity to listen to music in the immediate pre-procedural period. Patients do not appear to experience any alteration in physiological status as a result of listening to music. Further research is indicated in order to replicate existing studies, to strengthen the evidence to support such interventions and to establish intervention parameters. Further research is needed analysing the physiological mechanisms by which music listening is believed to reduce state anxiety and the contribution of the automated and other nervous systems to this reduction.

Effects of chewing gum on subjective and physiological stress responses

The notion that chewing gum may relieve stress was investigated in a controlled laboratory experiment. The defined intensity stress simulator (DISS) is a multi-tasking platform which reliably induces stress and also includes performance measures. Using a partial crossover design 40 participants (mean age 22 years) underwent two intensities of the DISS while chewing and not chewing. Before and after completing the DISS participants completed the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Bond-Lader visual analogue mood scales and a single stress visual analogue scale. Salivary cortisol levels were co-monitored. Baseline measures revealed that both levels of stress were effective in significantly reducing self-rated alertness, calmness and contentment while increasing self-rated stress and state anxiety. Cortisol levels fell during both levels of the stressor during the morning but this effect was reversed in the afternoon. Pre-post DISS changes ( Δ ) for each measure at baseline were subtracted from Δ scores under chewing and no chewing conditions. During both levels of stress the chewing gum condition was associated with significantly better alertness and reduced state anxiety, stress and salivary cortisol. Overall performance on the DISS was also significantly better in the chewing condition. The mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown but may involve neurohormonal interactions during the cephalic phase, improved cerebral blood flow and/or effects which were secondary to performance.

Acute Psychological Responses to Qigong Exercise of Varying Durations

Qigong exercise has been shown to induce acute psychological changes of a positive nature; but whether longer durations have greater effects than shorter ones is not known. Forty-one regular qigong practitioners therefore engaged in either 30 or 60 min of qigong exercise within a randomized cross-over design. Measures of mood, anxiety, activation, and hedonic tone were obtained pre- and post-exercise. Results showed benefits of the same magnitude in the two conditions: more positive mood states, reduced state anxiety, and enhanced perceived pleasure. Thirty minutes of qigong exercise thereby seems to be sufficient to provide psychological benefits, and with no additional benefits detected after 60 min. This finding is important for those having little time or motivation to engage in activities of longer durations. In addition, health professionals prescribing exercise for health benefits can prescribe shorter exercise sessions with confidence knowing that positive psychological effects can also occur after a shorter exercise bout.

Effects of music listening on adult patients' pre-procedural state anxiety in hospital.

Anticipation of an invasive procedure in hospital is likely to provoke feelings of anxiety and stress in patients. An unfamiliar environment, loss of control, perceived or actual physical risk, dependence on strangers and separation from friends and family are all factors that can contribute to the development of such feelings. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the anxiolytic potential of music listening in a variety of clinical settings, yet thus far, little is known about the impact of music listening on the pre-procedural patient population. A systematic review of all literature to date was indicated to improve understanding of outcomes and impact of music listening on pre-procedural anxiety, thus helping nurses decide whether or not to incorporate music listening into practice and to highlight a need, or otherwise, for a related primary research agenda. The objective of this review was to determine the best available evidence on the effectiveness of music listening in reducing adult hospital patients' pre-procedural state anxiety. Types of studies This review included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental research designs that examined the efficacy of music listening in reducing state anxiety among pre-procedural hospital patients published between January 1985 and February 2006. The search was limited to publications after 1985 to coincide with the increasing interest and use of complementary therapies within health care during the 1980s and 1990s.Types of participants Participants of interest to the review were adult day patients, ambulatory patients and inpatients who were about to undergo any type of clinical procedure.Types of intervention The review focused on studies that investigated pre-procedural music listening employed and prescribed as a potentially therapeutic activity. It excluded any other form of music therapy.Types of outcome measures The primary outcome measures examined were alterations in state anxiety and a variety of physiological variables such as blood pressure and respiration and heart rates. A search for published and unpublished literature between January 1985 and February 2006 was conducted using all major electronic databases. A three-step search strategy was devised which consisted of using high-precision MeSH terminology and keywords to ensure that all material relevant to the review was captured. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed by two reviewers, who appraised each study independently, using the standard Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Data were extracted from the studies that were identified as meeting the criteria for methodological quality using a data-extraction tool developed for the review. Studies were grouped by outcome measure and summarised using tabular and narrative formats. The review demonstrated that state anxiety is defined and measured using both psychological and physiological parameters. Music listening had a consistently positive and statistically significant effect on reducing psychological parameters of pre- procedural state anxiety. However, the results from the measurement of various pre- procedural physiological parameters failed to reveal any consistent positive changes in patients who had listened to music. This calls into question the adequacy of the theories in this area which link anxiety and the automated and central nervous systems and the effect that music listening may have on these processes and physiological responses.

At least 9 h of supervised relaxation training may reduce state anxiety and improve heart rate variability, prognosis and return to work for people with ischaemic heart disease

At least 9 h of supervised relaxation training may reduce state anxiety and improve heart rate variability, prognosis and return to work for people with ischaemic heart disease

State Anxiety and Blood Pressure Responses to Resistance Exercise of Different Intensities

Previous research has documented reductions in state anxiety following acute resistance exercise at moderate intensities. However, recently much of the research examining affective changes following resistance training has been called into question based on inadequate prescriptions of exercise intensity (i.e., those based on a percentage of 1RM). PURPOSE: This study examined selected psychobiological responses to acute bouts of resistance exercise (RE) of different intensities based on a percentage of repetition maximum (Arent et al., 2005) rather than %1RM. METHODS: Thirty-two male and female participants completed three different RE conditions (40%, 70%, and 100% 10RM), and a no-treatment control condition. Dependent variables consisted of state anxiety (SA), positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR). These dependent variables were assessed immediately before and at 0-5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min following the conditions. Average RPE was also determined for each condition. Data were analyzed with a 4 (Condition) x 6 (Time) repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. RESULTS: Results indicated state anxiety significantly improved during recovery for both low and moderate intensity conditions, while high intensity RE resulted in an immediate increase in anxiety (p <.05), before returning toward baseline by 45 min postexercise. HR and SBP immediately following exercise increased significantly (p <.05) following all three RE conditions while DBP only increased significantly for the high intensity condition. Both high and moderate intensity conditions resulted in reduced SBP responses by 30 min which persisted up to 60 min postexercise, p <. 001. Repeated measures ANOVA also revealed significant effects for RPE, suggesting a linear trend based on increasing RE intensity. CONCLUSION: When properly denned based on intensities of RM, these data further support the notion that moderate intensity RE results in reduced state anxiety and SBP responses. Although high intensity exercise resulted in attenuated SBP responses during the postexercise recovery, these were not associated with state anxiety responses. Further, low intensity exercise is associated with a significant decrease in state anxiety responses.

Effects of Drink‐Stress Sequence and Gender on Alcohol Stress Response Dampening in High and Low Anxiety Sensitive Drinkers

This study tested the appraisal disruption hypothesis of alcohol stress response dampening (SRD) in male and female high or low anxiety sensitive (AS) undergraduates. The hypothesis predicts that alcohol SRD will be greater when drinking occurs before versus after stress exposure. High AS males' predominant social-evaluative concerns further implied that alcohol SRD to a social stressor (i.e., a speech) would be relatively stronger in high AS males than in high AS females. Male and female (n=90/gender) high and low AS participants (>or=70th; <or=30th percentile on Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised) were matched on drinking habits and randomly assigned to 1 of 9 experimental cells. Drink type--alcohol (0.7 g/kg males; 0.63 g/kg females), placebo, soda--was fully crossed with stress condition--drink before stress (DBS), drink after stress (DAS), and no stress control (NSC). Stress was induced by telling participants they would be required to make a self-revealing speech. Stress response dampening was assessed for state anxiety on the Spielberger scale and Stroop interference to threat-related words. Subjective desire for alcohol was also assessed. Relative to placebo, alcohol (peak blood alcohol concentration, 0.064%) reliably reduced state anxiety in high AS but not in low AS participants. Alcohol decreased STAI scores and Stroop interference to social threat words significantly more in the DBS than the DAS condition in high AS males; high AS females displayed the exact opposite pattern of effects. In contrast to other participants, high AS males also reported relatively strong desire scores under alcohol. Overall, the results do not support the appraisal disruption hypothesis as a general mechanism of alcohol SRD in undergraduate drinkers. The findings for high AS males do support the hypothesis, while the opposing profile for high AS females implies that the nature of the stressor (i.e., social challenge) may contribute to gender differences in alcohol SRD in high AS individuals.

Effects of a single session of large-group meditation and progressive muscle relaxation training on stress reduction, reactivity, and recovery.

Three hundred eighty-seven undergraduate students in a large-group setting were exposed to 20 min of either meditation, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or a control condition, followed by 1 min of stress induction and another 10 min of each intervention. Participants in the meditation and PMR groups decreased more in cognitive, somatic, and general state anxiety than controls. The PMR group had the greatest decline in somatic anxiety, lending some support to the cognitive/somatic specificity hypothesis. After exposure to a visual stressor, those in the relaxation conditions had higher levels of anxiety and recovered more quickly than controls. Findings demonstrated the effectiveness of brief group training in meditation or PMR in reducing state anxiety after exposure to a transitory stressor.

Investigating the Enhancing Effect of Music on Autobiographical Memory in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

The enhancing effect of music on autobiographical memory recall in mild Alzheimer’s disease individuals (n = 10; Mini-Mental State Examination score >17/30) and healthy elderly matched individuals (n = 10; Mini-Mental State Examination score 25–30) was investigated. Using a repeated-measures design, each participant was seen on two occasions: once in music condition (Vivaldi’s ‘Spring’ movement from ‘The Four Seasons’) and once in silence condition, with order counterbalanced. Considerable improvement was found for Alzheimer individuals’ recall on the Autobiographical Memory Interview in the music condition, with an interaction for condition by group (p < 0.005). There were no differences in terms of overall arousal using galvanic skin response recordings or attentional errors during the Sustained Attention to Response Task. A significant reduction in state anxiety was found on the State Trait Anxiety Inventory in the music condition (p < 0.001), suggesting anxiety reduction as a potential mechanism underlying the enhancing effect of music on autobiographical memory recall.

The Effects of Self-Selected Music on Anxiety and Pain during Burn Dressing Changes

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music therapy on state anxiety and pain among patients undergoing burn dressing changes. A convenience sample of 32 adult burn patients who were eligible and provided consent were included in the study which was a quasi-experimental study of a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Fifteen patients in the control group received the routine burn dressing changes but 17 patients in the experimental group listened to self-selected music through headphones connected to a CD player during burn dressing changes for three days. All subjects of the music group chose the type of music that would relax them. Before and after burn dressing changes, subjects completed the State Anxiety Inventory and self-report of pain scores. There was a significant reduction in state anxiety before and after burn dressing changes in those who received music therapy in contrast to those who did not receive music therapy. The music group reported lower pain scores before and after burn dressing changes than did the non-music group. These findings indicate that music therapy composed of self-selected music is a valuable intervention for the treatment of pain and anxiety in patients undergoing burn dressing changes.

A Preliminary Study of the Effects of a Modified Mindfulness Intervention on Binge Eating

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of a modified mindfulness intervention for reducing binge eating. Participants ( n = 25) were recruited from the general public for a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. The standard MBSR format was modified to include brief eating exercises. There was no control group. Participants completed the Binge Eating Scale and other self-report measures before and after the course. There was a decline in binge eating as well as state anxiety and depressive symptoms. Reduced binge eating was related to increased self-acceptance and reduced state anxiety. The results are discussed with regard to laying the foundation for future research on the effects of mindfulness on eating.

The effects of acute relaxation on indices of anxiety during pregnancy

Objectives. Antenatal maternal anxiety has adverse effects on the fetus and the child. In this study we determined whether a short period of directed or of passive relaxation reduced maternal self-rated anxiety, heart rate, plasma catecholamines, cortisol and uterine artery resistance index, in pregnant women.Methods. Fifty-eight women (28 – 32 wks gestation) were assigned randomly to a session of directed active or passive (sitting quietly) relaxation. Spielberger self-rating anxiety questionnaires were completed, and a venous blood sample taken, before and after a Doppler scan.Results. Both active and passive relaxation significantly reduced State Anxiety and maternal heart rate, but the effect was significantly greater with the active relaxation. In contrast, the passive relaxation significantly reduced noradrenaline levels whereas active did not. Adrenaline levels were not changed significantly with either type of relaxation. Both methods significantly reduced cortisol, with a trend for the passive to have a greater effect. The active relaxation had no effect on uterine artery blood flow, whereas there was a statistically significant, but clinically negligible, increase in mean resistance index after passive relaxation.Conclusion. Both methods reduced maternal State Anxiety and heart rate, the active method more so. However there was a striking lack of correlation with the other biological indices studied. In order to reduce specific biological effects of anxiety during pregnancy, different methods may be needed from those which are most effective at reducing subjective anxiety.

State anxiety is reduced after maximal and submaximal exercise among people with panic disorder

The purpose of this experiment was to describe state anxiety responses to vigorous exercise in a sample of women with panic disorder and compare the responses to a control condition involving no exercise. It was hypothesized that state anxiety scores would be reduced to a greater extent after exercise compared to a condition involving no exercise. Ten women (mean age of 24.5 years) who met DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder volunteered. All participants completed three testing sessions; the first included a maximal treadmill exercise test and during the second and third testing sessions the participants completed 25 minutes of either submaximal treadmill walking or seated rest. Five and 15 minutes before and after the exercise or rest sessions, state anxiety was assessed using the 20-item State Anxiety Inventory. A 3 × 4 (Condition × Trials) repeated measures ANOVA found a significant effect for the Trials factor (F = 8.948, df = 1.227, 11.042, p =.01, η =.50) and for the Condition by Trials interaction (F = 5.048, df = 6,54, p <.001, η =.36). The interaction was the result of a significant decrease in state anxiety following the two exercise conditions and no change in state anxiety after the rest condition. The magnitude of the reduction in state anxiety after exercise ranged from Cohen's d = 0.60 to 0.89. People with panic disorder feel less anxious after maximal and submaximal exercise and the anxiolytic effect is larger than what has been found for healthy individuals.

Short‐Term Efficacy of a Telephone Intervention by Expert Nurses After An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

The ICD is a common therapy for treatment of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death. After ICD therapy, 50% of survivors are known to have significantly elevated anxiety, depression, anger, and fear in getting back to normal physical activities. Despite these problems, few interventions to improve adjustment have been rigorously evaluated within a clinical trial format. This article reports the short-term efficacy of a structured weekly educational telephone intervention (8 weeks) delivered by expert cardiovascular nurses to recipients of an ICD. To test these effects, a two-group (n = 84/group) randomized clinical trial design was used with measures at baseline (hospital discharge), 1 month, and 3 months after ICD therapy. The study sample were first time ICD recipients for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Primary outcomes included (1) physical functioning (Patient Concerns Assessment [PCA], Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12], ICD shocks), (2) psychological adjustment (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]), Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D), (3) knowledge (Sudden Cardiac Arrest [SCA] knowledge assessment), and (4) health care use (emergency room visits, outpatient visits, hospitalizations). The intervention group, as compared to the control group, significantly reduced mean PCA symptoms at 1 month (11.3-8.8 vs 9.7-9.3, respectively, P < 0.02), and reduced state anxiety (36.1-31.9 vs 33.1-33.0, respectively, P < 0.08), and enhanced knowledge (21.8-22.4 vs 21.4-21.7, respectively, P < 0.02) at 3 months. The intervention did not significantly impact short-term health care use. A structured telephone intervention delivered during the first 8 weeks after ICD therapy by expert cardiovascular nurses decreased ICD related physical symptoms and anxiety, and increased SCA knowledge over 3 months.

The role of Tai Chi Chuan in reducing state anxiety and enhancing mood of children with special needs

Abstract This paper reports the findings of a single-case research design which examined the effects of 1-h, twice-weekly Tai Chi Chuan sessions on state anxiety and mood of children with severe learning disabilities. The participants were three upper elementary children (mean age=13.3 years). The intervention lasted 10 weeks. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) A-State Scale, a 28-item mood inventory, and Conners' Teacher Rating Scales-39 (CTRS-39), a scale used to assess whether a child has attention deficits and/or hyperactivity, were given at intervals during the pre-treatment baseline (A 1 ), treatment (B), and post-treatment baseline (A 2 ). Individual scores were the unit of analysis in this exploratory piece of work. Mean state anxiety and mood scores and the split-middle technique were used to analyze the data. Results suggest that the intervention had the strongest effect on the participant who presented with hyperactivity and heightened anxiety. The findings support the benefits of using a single-case research design with this population.

State Anxiety and the Hoffmann Reflex Following Selected Forms of Acute Exercise

1996 There is considerable evidence that acute physical activity is associated with improvements in various measures of mood and with reduced state anxiety. Other research has focused on biological correlates of anxiety, including the soleus Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex). The H-reflex is a common measure of motoneuron excitability, specifically, the magnitude and latency of the reflex response of the muscle to stimulation of the innervating nerve. However, very few investigations have examined the influence of acute exercise on biological variables implicated in mood and state anxiety concomitantly. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether soleus H-reflex changes were associated with state anxiety changes following acute bouts of aerobic or resistance exercise. METHODS: Thirty-two physically active participants (16 Males, 16 Females; mean age = 22.16 years, SD = 2.65 years) were assessed on baseline soleus H-reflex recruitment curves and completed state anxiety (STAI-Y1) measures prior to 30-min of resistance training or cycle ergometry at a self-selected intensity. RESULTS: Post-exercise assessments of soleus H-reflex and state anxiety were taken immediately and at 45 and 90 minutes after exercise cessation. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant (p<0.05) trial effect for state anxiety and H-reflex. Post hoc analysis indicated a significant (p<0.05) 9% reduction in state anxiety by the 45-minute post-exercise follow-up, and a 13.5% reduction by the 90-minute post-exercise follow-up. H-reflex was significantly reduced (p<0.05) by 9% for the bicycle ergometry condition at the immediate post-exercise follow-up, but subsequent assessments did not differ from baseline. No changes in H-reflex were observed following resistance training. Correlational analysis revealed that state anxiety values were not associated (r = 0.04, p>0.05) with H-reflex measures. CONCLUSION: The independence of the H-reflex and state anxiety responses to exercise sessions suggests that the H-reflex may not be a sound physiological correlate to state anxiety. This conclusion is further reinforced by the failure to observe a significant correlation between these two variables. In summary, these results do not support an H-reflex mediated tranquilizer explanation of exercise induced mood change.

Therapeutic Effects of Sasimsagwan Meditation on Reducing State-Anxiety of Nursing Students

Purpose: This study purports to investigate the effects of Sasimsagwan meditation therapy, one way of Buddhists' ascetic practices conducted to reduce the state anxiety. Methods: The subjects of this study were college students, 34 of whom were grouped as experimental group and 35 as control group. The study is designed as the quasi-experimental research before and after the time lag of non-synchronized control group.STAI(State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) created by Spielberger was used as a tool to measure the state anxiety.Results: The experimental group conducting Sasimsagwan meditation therapy showed the decrease in anxiety level by average 7.23 lower than the control group which did not perform any Sasimsagwan meditation. It was also revealed that there is a significant difference of p&lt;.001 between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the Sasimsagwan meditation therapy can help bring down the anxiety caused by the threatening perception by letting us take insight on the essence of the fact transcending the language or perception which has usually been used as ultimate means.