Evaluation of content and vocal style in relaxation instructions

The relative contributions of content and vocal style in relaxation instructions were studied in vivo. Eighty adult dental patients, 40 males and 40 females, who required two amalgam dental restorations were randomly assigned to four conditions (10 males and 10 females in each): a control group in which the restorations were completed in the typical fashion; a group who listened to standard relaxation instructions during the dental procedure; a group who listened to relaxation instructions presented in a conversational tone and pace: and a group who listened to a travelogue presented in a calm, quiet voice at a slow pace. Several cognitive self-rating measures and electrodermal response measures were obtained. The pattern of results suggested that content may be somewhat more important than style in relaxation instructions. However, both appear to be necessary to produce effective relaxation.