The Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on the Behavior of Autistic Adolescents:

Five autistic adolescents were trained in the use of progressive muscle relaxation to determine the effects of the relaxation training on task-oriented, disruptive, and stereotypic behavior, in a structured academic session. Each academic session was 12 minutes in length. Prior to each session, the children engaged in one of two activities with the relaxation trainer for 10 minutes, i.e., the practice at relaxation or a Simon-says game. Measures of disruption, on-task, and academic rate were gathered in the 12-minute academic session. In addition, a relaxation checklist was used to determine the extent to which the child was relaxed in the relaxation sessions. The results gave little evidence of differential effects as a consequence of the relaxation procedures on any of the dependent measures. The addition of relaxation cues during academic sessions failed to produce any change in the children's behaviors.     

Initial relaxation response: contrasts between clinical patients and normal volunteers

The effectiveness of EMG biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, and self-relaxation were compared using a within-subjects design. Thirteen clinical subjects and 48 normal volunteers participated in 4 counterbalanced relaxation sessions using one of the techniques. Frontalis EMG and surface skin temperature were monitored throughout the sessions. For reducing EMG, biofeedback was more effective than the other three techniques. A significant interaction of treatment X subjects was found for changes in skin temperature. Clinical subjects had the greatest increase in skin temperature with EMG biofeedback and analog subjects responded best to self-relaxation. There were no significant differences in initial measures of EMG or skin temperature for the two samples.     

Evaluation of Progressive Muscle Relaxation with Conduct-Problem,Learning-Disabled Children

Four learning-disabled, conduct-problem children were trained in the use of progressive muscle relaxation to determine the effect of subsequent relaxation practice on behavior in the classroom. After three initial sessions of relaxation training, the children performed in 21 daily classroom periods. Each period was 12 minutes in length. Prior to each classroom period, the children engaged in one of two activities with the relaxation trainer for 15 minutes, i.e., either practice at relaxation with the trainer or card-playing. Measures of disruption, on-task, academic rate, and academic accuracy were gathered in the classroom. In addition, a relaxation checklist was employed to determine the extent to which the child was relaxed in the relaxation practice sessions. The results gave no evidence of differential effects as a consequence of the relaxation procedures or any of the classroom measures. These results suggest that the overzealous use of progressive relaxation training as a setting event or as a non-specific treatment procedure with school children may be unwarranted at this time.     

The Potential of Relaxation Training for the Hyperkinetic Training for the Hyperkinetic Trainable Mentally Retarded Child

The literature addressing relaxation training for retarded individuals is limited. Adding to the controversy over the benefits of relaxation training is the failure of many researchers to document levels of relaxation through physiological measures. The following single-subject study was designed to determine if relaxation techniques could be learned by a hyperkinetic, moderately retarded child based on a predetermined criteria, and the extent to which these techniques resulted in quantifiable muscle relaxation. The child was able to learn the relaxation techniques to criteria within five sessions. Reduced levels of muscle tension as indicated by an electromyogram were evident during relaxation training sessions when compared with baseline sessions. Implications of these techniques for classroom use are discussed.     

The effects of muscle relaxation on blood pressure of essential hypertensives

Muscle relaxation and noncontinuous biofeedback were investigated as potential nonpharmaceutical treatments for essential hypertension. The two procedures were compared to a waiting list control group. Predictions were made regarding the overall treatment effect, sessions within treatment effect, and periods within session effect. The results of this experiment reveal that biofeedback significantly lowers diastolic blood pressure between premeasures and postmeasures. It was also shown that muscle relaxation has a significant effect upon lowering diastolic and systolic blood pressures between premeasures and postmeasures and has a significant effect upon lowering diastolic and systolic blood pressures as subjects progress from the first period of a treatment session to the last period of a treatment session.     

Microcomputer-assisted relaxation

The present pilot study was designed to test the effectiveness of a microcomputer program developed by the authors to induce relaxation and focused attention, which are common to most clinical stress-reduction and hypnotic procedures. A nonclinical sample of 20 adults used the program on an APPLE IIc computer in two 30-min. sessions in a within-subjects design. Repeated measures analyses of variance showed significant decreases in the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale and on a visual analog anxiety scale. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.     

Exposure in vivo vs applied relaxation in the treatment of blood phobia

Eighteen patients with phobia for bloodt, wounds and injuries were treated with exposure in vivo or applied relaxation. They were assessed on different self-report, behavioral and physiological measures before and after treatment. The patients were treated individually for 9 sessions, 1 per week. The within-group comparisons showed that both groups had improved significantly on most of the measures and that these improvements were sustained or furthered at the 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, 10 of the 16 who completed the treatment became blood donors. The between-group comparisons showed exposure to be better than applied relaxation on three of the self-report measures at post-treatment assessment, but not at follow-up. The groups did equally well on the behavioral and physiological measures. The conclusion that can be drawn is that the coping-orientated method of applied relaxation is as effective as exposure in vivo in the treatment of blood phobia.     

Testosterone and cortisol responses to competitive fighting in human males: A pilot study

Serum testosterone and cortisol levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 14 young male judo competitors, in samples taken 10 minutes before and 45 minutes after two different procedures. The first involved physical exercise and the second competitive fighting. Both procedures were of 5 minutes duration and sessions took place at the same time (between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. local time) but on different days. Comparing the two situations over all subjects revealed that testosterone increased after exercise and decreased slightly after Competition. Between subject comparisons suggested that contrary to previous claims, winning or losing did not significantly change the testosterone and cortisol levels. Comparisons of subjects who were members of the Regional Team with individuals who were not part of that group confirmed that members increased their testosterone levels after competition, whereas the nonmembers showed a significant decrease. Moreover, success of the individuals, in their sporting record, correlated positively and significantly with the changes of testosterone observed during the competition. These preliminary results suggest that previous personal experience of success can influence the pattern of the psychoendocrine response to a contest situation.     

Group preprogrammed systematic desensitization without the simultaneous presentation of aversive scenes with relaxation training

This study investigated the assumption that it is necessary to simultaneously present muscle relaxation and aversive scenes in order for decrements in anxiety to occur. Utilizing 70 high test anxious students, the following treatment groups were delineated: (a) preprogrammed systematic desensitization, (b) non-simultaneous (scenes presented prior to muscle relaxation), (c) relaxation, and (d) no-treatment control. Self-report measures of test and general anxiety as well as college grades constituted the dependent measures. The results indicated that there tended to be no significant differences between the preprogrammed systematic desensitization and non-simultaneous groups on the dependent measures and that the latter group tended to show significant decrements in anxiety and obtain better grades than the relaxation and no-treatment control groups. These findings question the necessity of simultaneously pairing muscle relaxation and aversive scenes in treating anxiety by this method.     

心理行为干预对乳腺癌患者情绪反应及免疫功能的影响

按随机和匹配原则,将40名乳腺癌放疗患者分入干预组和对照组。对干预组患者进行为期4周的心理行为干预,对照组仅接受相应的医药治疗。以肿瘤病人情绪适应问卷(MAC)和免疫测试法研究患者干预前后的情绪反应和免疫功能,探讨心理行为干预对乳腺癌患者情绪反应和免疫功能的影响。结果发现,心理行为干预有利于提高患者NK细胞活性(NKCA);并有助于维持放疗期间患者的白细胞水平。     

Effects of rational emotive education on the rationality, neuroticism and defense mechanisms of adolescents

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of rational emotive education (REE) as a mental health prevention program for adolescents. The subjects included 109 eleventh- and twelfth-grade students enrolled in four introductory psychology courses, and who were divided into experimental and control classes. Experimental subjects received 12 biweekly sessions of REE. Subjects were pre- and posttested on three measures of psychosocial adaptation: the Rational Behavior Inventory (RBI), the Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI), and the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI). The effects of REE upon behavior were also examined by comparing academic effort grades, number of detentions, and grade point averages. Overall results showed significant positive changes in use of more adaptive defense mechanisms and in academic effort grades in the predicted direction. No significant changes occurred on the other measures. However, as a distinctive group, 17-year-olds demonstrated a significant reduction in neuroticism scores and a significant increase in academic effort grades.     

Individual response patterns and the effects of different behavioral methods in the treatment of social phobia

The importance of individual response patterns in the treatment of phobic patients was examined in the present study. Forty psychiatric outpatients with social phobia were assessed with a social interaction test which was videotaped. Heart rate was continuously monitored during the test. On the basis of their reactions in the test situation, the patients were divided into two groups showing different response patterns; behavioral and physiological reactors. Within each group half of the patients were randomly assigned to a behaviorally focused method (social skills training) while the other half received a physiologically focused method (applied relaxation). The patients were treated individually in 10 sessions. The within-group comparisons showed that both treatments yielded significant improvements on most measures. The between-group comparisons showed that for the behavioral reactors, social skills training was significantly better than applied relaxation on six out of ten measures, and for the physiological reactors applied relaxation was significantly better than social skills training on three of the measures. The results support the hypothesis that greater effects are achieved when the method used fits the patient's response pattern.     

RELAXATION AS THERAPY FOR HYPERACTIVE CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a relaxation therapy program with a sample of hyperactive, learning disabled, male children. The sample of 16 boys aged 8 to 12 years-old, from a private school providing special education, was divided randomly into an experimental and a control group. Relaxation procedures based on the theories of Jacobson and Bruno were done twice weekly for 11 weeks, during 20 minute sessions. All children in the experimental and control groups were pretested and posttested on six outcome measures. The Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Motor Accuracy subtest of the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests, Abbreviated Parent and Teacher Questionnaires, House-Tree Person test, and Sophistication-of-Body Concept Scale were administered. Significannt levels of differences were reported by most of the outcome measures. It was concluded that relaxation therapy has a direct effect upon the hyperactivity syndrome. Implications for use of relaxation therapy as a component of the occupational behavior frame of reference for the occupational therapist are discussed.     

An examination of methods for producing relaxation during short-term laboratory sessions

Reductions in psychological and physiological correlates of tension produced by various muscle relaxation training techniques were examined during a short-term laboratory session. Two studies are described involving a combined total of one hundred subjects receiving either abbreviated progressive relaxation, visual, auditory, or tactile electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback procedures. The Anxiety Differential was administered before and after the laboratory session. Heart rate, respiratory rate, skin conductance, systolic blood pressure, and frontalis and dominant forearm extensor EMG measures were obtained before, during, and after administration of relaxation training. Results indicated feedback in the tactile modality to produce overall reductions in tension comparable to those produced by progressive relaxation. Overall reductions in tension displayed by both progressive relaxation and tactile feedback were generally greater than reductions shown by visual or auditory feedback procedures. Interpretations suggest that certain forms of EMG feedback may offer an alternative to progressive relaxation techniques for producing short-term reductions in tension. Feedback modality is further indicated as a potentially important variable during relaxation training using the EMG feedback technique.     

BIOFEEDBACK,AUTOGENIC TRAINING,AND PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION IN THE TREATMENT OF RAYNAUD'S DISEASE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Twenty-one female patients suffering from diagnosed idiopathic Raynaud's Disease were trained to raise digital skin temperature using either autogenic training, progressive muscle relaxation, or a combination of autogenic training and skin temperature feedback. Patients were instructed in the treatment procedures in three one-hour group sessions spaced one week apart. All patients were instructed to practice what they had learned twice a day at home. Patients kept records of the frequency of vasospastic attacks occurring over a four-week baseline period, and during the first four weeks and the ninth week of training. In addition, patients underwent four laboratory cold stress tests during which they were instructed to maintain digital temperature as the ambient temperature was slowly dropped from 26° to 17°C. Cold stress tests were given during week 1 of baseline and during weeks 1, 3, and 5 of training. Results indicated that all patients improved during the first four weeks of training. No significant differences between the three behavioral treatment procedures were obtained. In addition, the ability of patients to maintain digital temperature during the cold stress challenge showed significant improvement from the first to the last tests. Symptomatic improvement was maintained by all patients nine weeks after the start of the training. The implications of these findings for the behavioral treatment of Raynaud's Disease are discussed.     

The effects of progressive relaxation on stress and diabetic control

Four insulin-requiring diabetic Ss were followed in single-S designs to measure the impact of progressive muscle relaxation training on blood glucose and stress levels. Measures of blood glucose, stress, activity and caloric intake were taken four times a day, along with a daily measure of anxiety. Two of the 4 Ss showed a significant decrease in blood glucose during treatment periods as compared to baseline measures. Similarly, 2 of the 4 Ss showed a significant decrease in stress levels during treatment. A multiple regression analysis revealed some significant relationships between blood glucose, stress, activity level and caloric intake. The results support previous studies that show relaxation techniques to be a viable aid in establishing greater diabetic control.     

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postamputation Chronic Pain: A Case Report

Limb amputation has a significant impact on an individual, not only physically but emotionally. Consequences of both traumatic and atraumatic amputations are vast and can result in functional disability, impaired emotional functioning, and changes in overall quality of life. These consequences may be further complicated by the development of chronic pain. Traditional management of postamputation chronic pain often involves invasive procedures and pharmacotherapy. While research notes behavioral interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a viable treatment alternative for chronic pain, there is no literature supporting CBT for postamputation chronic pain. In this case report, we present a 63-year-old male lower limb amputee complicated with chronic pain who experienced pain reduction and improved quality of life following manualized treatment with CBT for chronic pain. Treatment took place over 12 sessions with fidelity (93%) being measured throughout to ensure accurate utilization of the treatment manual. As part of the treatment manual, self-report measures (Pain Rating Scale, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Pain Outcomes Questionnaire, and subjective units of distress) were used throughout to track patient progress. All measures showed improvement with the biggest gains being seen in pain ratings and pain catastrophizing.     

The Effect of Previous Experience on Preference of Approach for Effective Counseling

Students in a general psychology class viewed four videotapes of initial vocational-educational and initial personal concern counseling sessions. The sessions were presented from a client-centered approach and from a behavioral approach, and employed the same client and counselor. After viewing the tapes, the students were asked to indicate which approach they thought would be more effective in helping a client. Results showed that students who had previously experienced counseling preferred a behavioral approach for both the vocational-educational concern and the personal concern. Students with no experience of counseling did not exhibit a preference.     

The effect of previous experience on preference of approach for effective counseling

Students in a general psychology class viewed four videotapes of initial vocational-educational and initial personal concern counseling sessions. The sessions were presented from a client-centered approach and from a behavioral approach, and employed the same client and counselor. After viewing the tapes, the students were asked to indicate which approach they thought would be more effective in helping a client. Results showed that students who had previously experienced counseling preferred a behavioral approach for both the vocational-educational concern and the personal concern. Students with no experience of counseling did not exhibit a preference.     

Systematic desensitization, muscle relaxation and visual imagery in the counterconditioning of four-year-old phobic child

A four-year-old boy with a severe phobia for loud sudden noises was successfully treated with behavior modification utilizing muscle relaxation and in vivo conditioning in six sessions. The question of theoretical importance was whether muscle relaxation and systematic desensitization by imagining feared stimuli could successfully be employed to treat a phobia in a child this young. The literature does not, to the author's knowledge, contain any reports of the combined use of muscle relaxation and imagination of fear-producing stimuli for treating phobic children of such a young age.