Muscle relaxation training for fear reduction of patients with psychological problems: a review of controlled studies

Twenty-four studies of relaxation training for fear reduction of patients with psychological problems, which were published between 1960 and 1980, are reviewed. It is argued that only studies of the outcome of courses are relevant in considering the efficacy of therapy and concluded that such courses are capable of reducing autonomic arousal during training and during rest and stress following the course, capable of reducing behavioural avoidance, and capable of reducing subjective reports of disorder. This fear-reducing effect is less than that of exposure, and future research should examine the value of adding relaxation training to exposure.