Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Progressive muscle relaxation'

Introduction: Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness, but medications and psychosocial approaches designed to treat it leave significant room for improvement. This study investigated Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), a treatment originally designed to reduce anxiety, as a way to reduce manic symptoms. Methods: Participants with bipolar I disorder (n = 44) were assigned via stratified randomization to complete PMR or a control condition (self-focused calming). Participants underwent a positive mood induction procedure, and completed several measures of manic symptoms at Session 1 and Session 2 (several weeks later). Results: Among those who experienced a successful positive mood induction, PMR and the control condition generally resulted in similar reductions in high-arousal positive affect. Participants who practiced PMR between the two sessions tended to experience greater reductions in positive affect at Session 2 compared to those who did not practice. Discussion: The relative parity of the PMR and control conditions suggests that people with bipolar I disorder have effective strategies for regulating positive emotions. Rather than teaching additional strategies, it may be more fruitful to develop methods for helping people with bipolar disorder to implement the strategies that work for them.

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between three different methods of relaxation (listening to music, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and a combination of music listening and PMR) and state anxiety reduction (as indicated by a feeling of reduced tension for the participant, measured on a self-rating scale). The study also examined the relationship between specific variables (age, sex, music training, music preferences, familiarity with music, degree of liking for music, knowledge of, and experience in, PMR, and learning style) and response to a relaxation method. The study involved forty male and female volunteers, ranging in age from 18 - 60 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups or a control group. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the analysis of results. Results indicated that for the participants in this study, all methods were associated with a decrease in state anxiety, the combined methods being no more effective in achieving reduced tension levels than the independent methods. However, a significant difference was achieved between the PMR group and the control group, with the mean decrease in tension level for the PMR group higher on average than that of the control group. There was also no significant difference observed between the relaxation sessions and the controlled opportunity for social interaction, attended by all participants. Further, case studies indicated that response to relaxation methods is a highly individual one.

The problem of the study was to determine the effect of a progressive muscle relaxation program on secretaries' self-reported job stress. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in post-test scores of the control group and the experimental group on the Personal Strain subscale of the OSI-R questionnaire. It was also hypothesized that there would be no difference between the groups in post-test scores on the Occupational Stress subscale of the OSI-R questionnaire.The population of prospective subjects for the study consisted of Ball State University secretaries who were randomly selected and then randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group received a multi-activity intervention which included: 1) a progressive muscle relaxation training session; 2) reminder sheets with the steps on how to do progressive muscle relaxation in case they forgot; 3) e-mail messages to remind them to do progressive muscle relaxation; and 4) the keeping of logs of their progressive muscle relaxation activities. The design of the study was a post-test only control group design. All subjects were asked to complete the OSI-Rquestionnaire at the end of the three-week intervention period. Descriptive statistics and two-tailed paired t-tests were used to analyze the data.The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the two groups on both the Personal Strain subscale and the Occupational Stress subscale of the OSI-R questionnaire. Based upon the results of this study, it was concluded that 15 minutes of progressive muscle relaxation did not make a difference in job stress levels of the subjects. Also, a three-week intervention period may not have been a sufficient amount of time to see results from the stress management technique used.Some of the recommendations for future study include using a larger sample size and using logs as a covariate for data analysis. Using a larger sample size could help create more variance in subjects and their responses. Having a covariate could help account for those individuals not complying with the intervention requirements.
Department of Physiology and Health Science

The present study examined the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in relation to increasing well-being and decreasing stress and fatigue among athletes. Collegiate and club athletes from a Division I University (n = 30) completed three surveys, including a demographics questionnaire, the College Student Athlete Life Stress Scale, and the Subjective Exercise Experience Scale. Athletes were randomly selected into two groups and asked to partake in a 20-minute coping method either with a PMR session (n = 15; intervention) or lying comfortably (n = 15; control). The Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES) was given as a pre and post assessment to examine the effectiveness of PMR. Results revealed stress and fatigue levels to decrease and well-being levels to increase for both groups. PMR and lying quietly had significant changes from pre to post intervention; both worked the same. The findings of this study were inconclusive; increased PMR sessions are needed.

Els trets de personalitat juguen un paper rellevant en les diferències individuals en la secreció del cortisol. No obstant això, la naturalesa i els mecanismes subjacents d'aquesta relació tot i romanen poc clars. El cortisol, producte final de l'eix Hipotàlem-pituïtari-Adrenal (HPA), és un glucocorticoide que el nostre cos secreta naturalment seguint un pronunciat cicle diürn, amb nivells elevats davant de situacions particularment estressants (reactivitat del cortisol). La present tesi doctoral té com a objectiu elucidar com els trets de personalitat influeixen en la resposta del cortisol d'estudiants universitaris en tres condicions diferents: estressant, basal i de relaxació. Aquest treball comença avaluant la resposta del cortisol davant d'una situació estressant (parlar en públic) en estudiants de psicologia. Esperàvem que la reactivitat del cortisol estigués positivament relacionada amb Obertura, Amabilitat i Responsabilitat, i negativament amb Extraversió, Neuroticisme i Psicoticisme. En el nostre segon estudi, avaluem el perfil de secreció de cortisol basal en estudiants universitaris amb puntuacions extremes en Neuroticisme (N) tractant de demostrar una associació teòrica esperat entre N i la secreció de cortisol diürn. Pensàvem que participants amb puntuacions altes en N exhibirien constantment nivells elevats de cortisol diürn basal comparat amb aquells amb puntuacions baixes en N. Finalment, volíem examinar si una setmana de Relaxació Muscular Progressiva Abreujada (APMR) era eficaç per reduir nivells totals d'estrès psicològic i fisiològic de participants amb puntuacions extremes en N. Els nostres resultats confirmen, en primer lloc, que parlar en públic augmenta significativament la secreció de cortisol en comparació amb una activitat acadèmica no estressant. A més a més, Responsabilitat ha estat associada amb un augment significatiu dels nivells de cortisol, i Psicoticisme amb una a la baixa. En segon lloc, trobem que Neuroticisme ha estat associat amb una elevada secreció de cortisol davant de situacions d'estrès diari, encara que només després dels primers 45 min. després de despertar (CAR). Aquesta associació ha estat independent del gènere i edat dels participants, si fumaven o no, l'hora de despertar, o del dia de l'estudi. Finalment, en tercer lloc, APMR és una eina eficaç per disminuir tant l'estrès psicològic com fisiològic en tots els participants, independentment de puntuacions altes o baixes en Neuroticisme, el gènere, o l'edat dels participants.
Los rasgos de personalidad juegan un papel relevante en las diferencias individuales en la secreción del cortisol. Sin embargo, la naturaleza y los mecanismos subyacentes a esta relación aún permanecen poco claros. El cortisol, producto final del eje Hipotálamo-Pituitario- Adrenal (HPA), es un glucocorticoide que nuestro cuerpo secreta naturalmente de acuerdo a un ciclo diurno pronunciado, con niveles elevados ante situaciones estresantes (reactividad del cortisol). El objetivo de la presente tesis doctoral ha sido elucidar cómo los rasgos de personalidad influyen en la respuesta del cortisol de estudiantes universitarios en tres condiciones distintas: estresante, basal y de relajación. Este trabajo comienza evaluando la respuesta del cortisol ante una situación estresante (hablar en público) en estudiantes de psicología. Esperábamos que la reactividad del cortisol estuviera positivamente relacionada con Apertura, Amabilidad y Responsabilidad, y negativamente con Extraversión, Neuroticismo y Psicoticismo. En nuestro segundo estudio, evaluamos el perfil de secreción de cortisol basal en estudiantes universitarios con puntuaciones extremas en Neuroticismo (N). Con ello pretendíamos demostrar de forma experimental una asociación planteada a nivel teórico entre N y secreción de cortisol diurno. Así esperábamos que los participantes con puntuaciones altas en N exhibieran niveles elevados de cortisol diurno basal comparado con participantes con puntuaciones bajas en este rasgo. Por último, queríamos examinar si una semana de Relajación Muscular Progresiva Abreviada (APMR) era efectiva en reducir los niveles totales de estrés psicológico y fisiológico de participantes con puntuaciones extremas en N. Nuestros resultados confirman, en primer lugar, que hablar en público aumenta significativamente la secreción de cortisol en comparación con una actividad académica no estresante. Además, Responsabilidad se asoció con un aumento significativo de la respuesta de cortisol, y Psicoticismo con una respuesta a la baja. En segundo lugar, encontramos que altos niveles de Neuroticismo se asociaron con una secreción elevada de cortisol en situaciones de estrés diario, aunque solo después de los primeros 45 min después de despertar (CAR). Esta asociación fue independiente del género y edad de los participantes, si fumaban o no, de la hora de despertar, o del día del estudio. Por último, en tercer lugar, APMR fue eficaz en disminuir tanto el estrés psicológico como fisiológico en todos los participantes, independientemente del género, la edad o de la puntuación de Neuroticismo de los participantes.
Personality traits play a significant role in individual differences in cortisol response (LeBlanc, Ducharme, & Thompson, 2004). However, the nature and underlying mechanisms of the relationship between cortisol secretion and personality traits still remain unclear. Cortisol, an end product of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA), is a glucocorticoid that our body naturally secretes according to a pronounced diurnal cycle with increased values under stressful situations (cortisol reactivity). The aim of the present PhD dissertation was to elucidate how personality traits influence the cortisol secretion of undergraduate students in three different conditions; stressful, baseline, and relaxation. This work began by evaluating the cortisol response facing a stressful situation (public speaking) of psychology students. We believed that cortisol reactivity would be positively related to Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness, and negatively to Extraversion, Neuroticism and Psychoticism. In our second study, we assessed the baseline cortisol in students with extreme scores in Neuroticism (N) attempting to prove a theoretical expected association between N and diurnal cortisol secretion. We postulated that high N participants would display elevated diurnal background levels of cortisol compared to low N participants. Finally, we examined whether one week of Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation (APMR) was effective in reducing overall levels of psychological and physiological stress of high- and low-N participants. Our results confirmed, firstly, that public speaking significantly increased cortisol secretion when compared to a non-stressful academic activity. In addition, Conscientiousness was associated with an enhanced cortisol response to public speaking, and Psychoticism with a blunted one. Secondly, we found that high levels of Neuroticism were associated with elevated cortisol secretion on daily stress, but only after the first 45 min following awakening (CAR). This association was independent of sex and age, smoking status, awakening time, and day of study. Finally, in third place, APMR was effective in decreasing both psychological and physiological stress in all participants independently of their N-score, gender, or age.

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic medical problems around the world and it is an important public health challenge. Hypertension can lead to cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, renal failure, myocardial infraction or stroke. According to the statistics from the Census and Statistics Department, it revealed that the ratio of people with known hypertension was about 11.0% in 2011/12. Exposure to stress has been evidenced by different studies as a risk factor for hypertension. Stress included occupational stress, stressful events from the social environment, and low socioeconomic status. Progressive muscle relaxation therapy plays an important role in controlling hypertension apart from the traditional management such as the use of medication or diet control. Objective The objectives of the translational nursing research are to develop an evidence- based guidelines for hypertension patients to maintain an optimal blood pressure level. Methods 5 electronic databases including Medline (Ovid SP) (1950–Aug week 4 2012), Pubmed, ISI web of knowledge (1956- Aug 2012) , The PsycINFO database (1980- Aug 2012) and Cochrane Library (1950- Aug 2012) are used for systematic search of literature. Five suitable are identified while three studies are randomized controlled trials and two are quasi-experimental design. The 5 studies were summarized and a table of evidence is formed. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklist was used for critical appraisal. The findings indicate that progressive muscle relaxation exercise has significant effects in maintaining optimal blood pressure for hypertension patients. In order to implement the evidence- based protocol, an implementation plan is developed. A pilot test is implemented before the full- scale implementation of innovation. An evaluation plan is developed in order to assess the effectiveness of the program. Conclusion There are all together 8 recommendations are made in this protocol which based on the 5 chosen studies. According to SIGN’s “Grades of Recommendation”, all 8 recommendations in the protocol are graded as “A”. The innovation is proposed to implemented at an outpatient clinic for the hypertension patients. The progressive muscle relaxation exercise would be last for 6 weeks, which is effective in maintaining optimal blood pressure in hypertension patients. In the views of the transferability of the evidences, the feasibility and the cost-effectiveness of the program, the proposed program is considered as rewarding to carry out at the outpatient clinic in Hong Kong.
published_or_final_version
Nursing Studies
Master
Master of Nursing

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The burden and stress is increased when the caregivers are themselves elderly. The present study investigated an 8-week stress-reduction program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and compared it to a similarly structured, alternative behavioral intervention, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), to determine if MBSR was as effective or more effective than PMR at reducing subjective burden, symptoms of depression, perceived loneliness or perceived stress among middle-aged and older family caregivers of persons with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR. Self-report and biological measures were collected on five occasions: At the beginning and end of intervention training, and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the end of intervention training. In addition to a packet of self-report questionnaires and home-collected salivary cortisol, a laboratory controlled emotional stress test was designed to elicit an emotionally stressful response relevant to caregivers’ experience of caregiving, and facilitate the measurement of stress-related changes in systolic blood pressure and cortisol reactivity. At 1 year post-intervention, the PMR group showed a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress and disruptive patient behaviors. A reduction in emotional reactivity to patient problem behaviors approached significance (p = .08) at 1 year post-intervention for the PMR group. The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported symptoms of depression and perceived isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. However, by 1 year post-intervention, interaction effects were non-significant as both groups showed similar decreases in symptoms of depression and perceived isolation. Both groups showed similar decreases in diurnal cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and daily average cortisol (but not laboratory cortisol) from pre- to post-intervention and further decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and showed similar reductions in magnitude of change by 1 year post-intervention. This pattern was similar for both groups with systolic blood pressure, showing decreases from pre- to post-intervention, additional decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and returning towards baseline by 1 year post-intervention. Both groups also reported similar increases in levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion and similar improvement in overall sleep quality that was sustained at 1 year post-intervention. No changes were seen for perceived burden or loneliness. Significant correlations with amount of daily practice of the instructed stress-reduction approaches were observed for several of the dependent measures from pre- to post-intervention and 8 weeks post-intervention. From pre-intervention to 1 year post-intervention, an overall pattern emerged, where both groups showed similar improvements from pre- to post-intervention, and additional improvements at 8 weeks post-intervention, but displayed a curvilinear reduction in improvements—with some exceptions—and a return towards baseline at 6 months and 1 year post-intervention. In general, reductions in the magnitude of changes observed by 1 year post-intervention remained below baseline levels. Results suggest that both MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may be differentially effective in reducing psychological and physiological indices of chronic stress among older caregivers of relatives with neurocognitive disorders. However, further research, employing wait-list control participants, will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The burden and stress is increased when the caregivers are themselves elderly. The present study investigated an 8-week stress-reduction program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and compared it to a similarly structured, alternative behavioral intervention, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), to determine if MBSR was as effective or more effective than PMR at reducing subjective burden, symptoms of depression, perceived loneliness or perceived stress among middle-aged and older family caregivers of persons with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR. Self-report and biological measures were collected on five occasions: At the beginning and end of intervention training, and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the end of intervention training. In addition to a packet of self-report questionnaires and home-collected salivary cortisol, a laboratory controlled emotional stress test was designed to elicit an emotionally stressful response relevant to caregivers’ experience of caregiving, and facilitate the measurement of stress-related changes in systolic blood pressure and cortisol reactivity. At 1 year post-intervention, the PMR group showed a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress and disruptive patient behaviors. A reduction in emotional reactivity to patient problem behaviors approached significance (p = .08) at 1 year post-intervention for the PMR group. The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported symptoms of depression and perceived isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. However, by 1 year post-intervention, interaction effects were non-significant as both groups showed similar decreases in symptoms of depression and perceived isolation. Both groups showed similar decreases in diurnal cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and daily average cortisol (but not laboratory cortisol) from pre- to post-intervention and further decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and showed similar reductions in magnitude of change by 1 year post-intervention. This pattern was similar for both groups with systolic blood pressure, showing decreases from pre- to post-intervention, additional decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and returning towards baseline by 1 year post-intervention. Both groups also reported similar increases in levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion and similar improvement in overall sleep quality that was sustained at 1 year post-intervention. No changes were seen for perceived burden or loneliness. Significant correlations with amount of daily practice of the instructed stress-reduction approaches were observed for several of the dependent measures from pre- to post-intervention and 8 weeks post-intervention. From pre-intervention to 1 year post-intervention, an overall pattern emerged, where both groups showed similar improvements from pre- to post-intervention, and additional improvements at 8 weeks post-intervention, but displayed a curvilinear reduction in improvements—with some exceptions—and a return towards baseline at 6 months and 1 year post-intervention. In general, reductions in the magnitude of changes observed by 1 year post-intervention remained below baseline levels. Results suggest that both MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may be differentially effective in reducing psychological and physiological indices of chronic stress among older caregivers of relatives with neurocognitive disorders. However, further research, employing wait-list control participants, will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), among older family caregivers of persons with neurocognitive disorders, compared with an intervention based on progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR (n = 28). The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported levels of depression and isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. Both groups showed similar decreases in levels of perceived stress, cortisol awakening response, daily average cortisol, and in resting systolic blood pressure from pre- to post-intervention. Results suggest that MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may both be effective for caregivers, however, further research, employing waitlist control participants will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

Darbo problema – vis dar lieka neaiškus PRR efektyvumas ir jos sąsajos su amžiumi, lytimi, išsilavinimu, IŠL forma, subjektyvia savijauta, subjektyviu sveikatos vertinimu bei organizmo raumenų įtampa, sergantiems IŠL. Todėl šio tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti progresuojančios raumenų relaksacijos taikymo efektyvumą AKS reguliavimui, atsižvelgiant į lytį, amžių, ligos formą, subjektyvų sveikatos vertinimą, išsilavinimą, raumenų įtampą ir subjektyvią savijautos įtampą, sergantiems IŠL, stacionarinės reabilitacijos etape. Tyrime buvo pakviesti dalyvauti 204 Abromiškių reabilitacinės ligoninės, kardiologinio skyriaus pacientai, tačiau į 1 užsiėmimą atėjo 53 (48,18 %) vyrai ir 40 (42,55 %) moterų, į 2 – 20 (18,18 %) vyrų ir 14 (14,89 %) moterų, į 3 – 15 (13,63 %) vyrų ir 12 (12,76 %) moterų ir į 4 – 12 (10,9 %) vyrų ir 8 (8,51 %) moterys. Tiriamieji dalyvavo 4 vienos valandos užsiėmimuose, kurie vyko 4 kartus per savaitę. Siekiant įvertinti PRR efektyvumą AKS mažinimui ir efektyvumo sąsajas su prieš tai išvardintais faktoriais, tiriamiesiems buvo pateikiamos anketos, vedami relaksaciniai užsiėmimai. Kiekvieno užsiėmimo pradžioje ir pabaigoje buvo matuojamas AKS ir duodamas užpildyti manekenas (raumenų įtampai įvertinti) bei subjektyvios savijautos skalė. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad po relaksacijos AKS statistiškai reikšmingi sumažėjimai buvo tik vyrų tarpe, taip pat tarp jaunesnių pacientų, žmonėms sergantiems lengvesne IŠL forma, pacientams su aukštuoju išsilavinimu ir blogesniu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
It is still unclear if effectiveness of PMR is related with age, gender, education, IHD form, subjective health status, subjective tension and muscle tension for ischemic heart disease patients. So the aim of this survey is to analize how effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation in blood pressure regulation is related with these factors for ischemic heart disease in-patients at their rehabilitation period. 204 patients from Abromiškės rehabilitation hospital, cardiac department were invited to participate in relaxation groups, but in the first group participated only 53 (48,18%) men and 40 (42,55%) women, in the second - 20 (18,18%) men and 14 (14,89%) women, in the third - 15 (13,63%) men and 12 (12,76%) women and in fourth - 12 (10,9%) men and 8 (8,51%) women. Participants attended in four hourly relaxation groups which were four times per week. With the purpose to evaluate PMR effectiveness for blood pressure regulation and its’ relation with factors, participants were given questionnaires also relaxation groups were provided. At the beginning and at the end of each session blood pressure was measured also muscle tension was evaluated with the given model and 10 score scale was given for subjective feeling evaluation. The results of this study showed that the statistically significant reductions of blood pressure were only for men also for younger patients and patients with higher education, for patients with easier IHD form and for patients with worse... [to full text]

碩士
國立臺灣大學
護理學研究所
88
With the advancement of society, stresses to individuals are increasing constantly, and psychosomatic disorders are getting much more progressively day by day. Studies have proven that stresses would precipitate various psychosomatic disorders. A typical one of them is hypertension. Known since antiquity, stress management would improve the blood pressure of hypertensive patients effectively. But, few of our documents discussed the effect of applying stress management to hypertensive patients. The goals of this study included: 1. exploring the effect of progressive muscle relaxation to the physical signs-- such as systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate and temperature of finger-tips-- of patients with primary hypertension; 2. exploring the effect of progressive muscle relaxation to psychiatric aspects-- such as anxiety, depression, stress and type A personality -- of patients with primary hypertension. This study adopted quasi- experimental, one group before- after design and time series design, convenience sampling. We collected cases from the cardiovascular out- patient department of a certain medical center in Taipei city. Twenty-nine cases were gathered from Dec. 1999 to Jun. 2000. Study instruments included manuals for education of hypertension, tapes for practice of progressive muscle relaxation, monitors for measurement and questionairs. All cases are provided with individual health education for hypertension and management of progressive muscle relaxation. Objects underwent management of progressive muscle relaxation under continuous monitoring in a bio- feedback laboratory every week. Every case was given a tape of guidance for progressive muscle relaxation and a manual for education of hypertension. They were encouraged to do one practice at relaxation by themselves at home, and to measure and record heart rate and blood pressure in twenty minutes after getting up every day. Evaluations of effects of the study included: physical signs (systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, temperature of finger-tips) and psychiatric characteristics (anxiety, depression, stress, type-A personality). Obtained data were analyzed with SPSS10.0/PC for Windows and GEE Model. Confidence interval wasα=0.05. The results of the study reveal the short-term effects -- lowering systolic and diastolic pressure, decreasing heart rate and increasing temperature of finer-tips-- of progressive muscle relaxation when cases were receiving continuous monitoring in the bio- feedback laboratory. The mid-stage indices of monitoring blood pressure and heart rate at home by the cases themselves also disclosed that-- during the period when the cases were receiving experimental management-- systolic pressure lowered by 10.79mmHg, diastolic pressure by 8.14mmHg, and heart rate by 3.88 beats. In comparing the situations after management of progressive muscle relaxation with before that, the level of depression of study cases improved apparently. But, level of anxiety, perception of stress and characteristics of type-A personality did not differ significantly. Progressive muscle relaxation is a simple, easy- learned, economical and effective non-medical therapeutic method for hypertension, and is a worthwhile one for extended use clinically.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: The trapezius muscle is thought to be the muscle most commonly associated with the presence of active myofascial trigger points (MFTP’s). Studies of the trapezius muscle clearly show that muscular activity significantly increases in response to psychological stress. Cervical spine manipulation has been proven to be highly effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy is frequently utilized as a relaxation technique in subjects complaining of increased levels of muscular tension, possibly due to an increased perception of psychological stress. Although cervical spine manipulation alone is effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension, chiropractors often search for adjunctive therapies to improve current treatment protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of cervical spine manipulation and PMR therapy is a more efficient, and possibly effective, treatment protocol for active MFTP’s of the trapezius muscle. Method: This study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen participants each. All participants were between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years of age, with a male to female ratio of 1:1. Potential participants were examined and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine. Group B was the combination group and therefore received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine together with the application of PMR therapy. Subjective measurements consisted of a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Questionnaire, Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire. Objective measurements consisted of pressure pain threshold algometry readings taken from active trigger points one (TP1) and/or trigger point two (TP2) on the right and/or left side of the upper trapezius muscle.

Yes
Chronic non-malignant pain is a global condition with a complex biopsychosocial impact on the sufferers. Relaxation skills are commonly included as part of a pain management programme, which is currently the recommended evidence-based intervention for this group of patients. However, there is little evidence behind the choice of relaxation method implemented, or their effectiveness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of relaxation skills in the management of chronic non-malignant pain, related to pain intensity and health-related quality of life. A systematic literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro and PsycARTICLES. The Cochrane, DARE and Trip databases were also accessed, and searches were carried out using the terms (relaxation OR relaxation therapy OR relaxation training) AND (pain OR chronic pain). Following critical appraisal, ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Three studies reported a decrease in pain intensity as a result of the relaxation intervention, whilst only one study reported an improvement in health-related quality of life. Progressive muscle relaxation was the most commonly implemented method throughout, although its method of delivery differed between studies. There is little evidence for the use of relaxation as a stand-alone intervention for pain intensity and health-related quality of life for patients with musculoskeletal chronic non-malignant pain. More research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

碩士
國立體育學院
運動科學研究所
84
The purpose of this study had four-fold. First, to develop a state anxiety inventory for assessing children''s state anxiety; second, to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children''s self-reported state anxiety before a 1000m running test; third, to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children''s physical responses before a 1000m running test; fourth, to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on childern''s performance of 1000m running test. Four hundred and fifty-six 5th and 6th grade children recruited from Wen-Lin elementary school were asked to complete a state anxiety inventory before the 1000m running test. Based on the score of state anxiety inventory, 30 children who were high state anxiety were recruited to the experiment and they were randomly assigned as either relaxation training group or control group. Subjects in experimental group were received 24 sessions progressive muscle relaxation training. After a five-week training period, subjects were asked to attend a 1000m running test. Subjects self-reported state anxiety, physical responses and performance were measured prior to the test. The results of this study indicated that: (1)There was no significant differences on self-reported state anxiety between relaxation training group and control group. (2)There was no significat differences on heart rete between relaxation training group and control group. (3)Subjects in relaxation training group revealed lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than control group subjects before 1000m running test. (4)There was no significant difference on performance of 1000m running test between relaxation training group and control group. According to the results of this study, some suggestions were proposed for the future research.

碩士
國立台北護理學院
護理研究所
98
The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness on the sleep quality of chronic psychiatric inpatients by the intervention of applying progressive muscle relaxation exercises before bed time. This study is a quasi-experimental research design. It included samples of 60 inpatients from the psychiatric hospitals in northern region, and was divided equally into an experimental group and a control group. The Intervention was conducted for 4 weeks on experimental group, 3 times a week and 35 minutes each time, There was no intervention on the control group. Data collection included the pre-intervention and post- intervention for each of the 12 interventions. The effectiveness of intervention was assessed as a subjective sleep quality and an objective sleep quality. The subjective sleep quality included the seven indicators in the Chinese version of Pittsburgh Quality Sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) and the eight indicators in the Chinese version of Athens nsomnia Scale Chinese (Athens Insomnia Scale, AIS). The objective sleep quality was the Sleep Observation Records by the nurses. Data were summarized as the mean±Standard deviation for continous variables and as proportions for categorical variables . Differences between groups were tested Chi-Square test and independant Sample t-test.To analyze the longitudinal relationship of progressive muscle relaxation groups and sleep quality ,the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) was applied and performed. The results showed that after 12 times of intervention, the PSQI assessmentat different times of the experimental group: sleep latency (β =- 0.93, P <0.01),sleep efficiency (Β =- 0.96, P <0.01), and total score of sleep quality (β =- 4.06, P <0.001), were better than that of the control group (N = 30). While the AIS evaluation scale showed that the total sleep quality (β =- 0.36, P <.01), well-being the emotion (β =- 0.23, P <.01), day-time sleepiness (β = -0.43, P <.001), day-time physical function (β =- 0.16, P <.01) of the experimental group had a significant improvement over the control group. The objective sleep quality observation showed that when comparing with experimental group, the possibility of sleep difficulty of the control group increased 2.806 times (β = 1.03, P <.05), the possibility of sleep disruption increased 4.648 times (β = 1.53, P <.001 ), and the possibility of sleep time less than 5 hours increased 5.18 times (β = 1.64, P <.001). The results showed that twelve times of the progressive muscle relaxation exercise in chronic psychiatric inpatients have the following effect: (1). Pittsburgh quality of sleep can shorten sleep latency, increased sleep efficiency at night; (2). Athens Insomnia Scale may improve the total sleep quality and well-being the emotion , daytime sleepiness, daytime physical functions; (3). the objective to improve the quality of sleep, difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, night sleep time is less than 5 hours of sleep difficulties problem. The results of this study suggest that progressive muscle relaxation training should be added into routine care of chronic psychiatric ward before bed time, the clinical staff to use as relaxation techniques to enhance patient’s sleeping quality. This study not only provides us future reference in resolving chronic psychiatric inpatients sleep problems, but also guideline in improving the quality of clinical care.

碩士
國立臺北護理健康大學
中西醫結合護理研究所
102
Some studies have proved that progressive muscle relaxation training can help improve symptom distress and anxiety during chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on symptom distress, anxiety and vital signs of colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The quasi-experimental design was used in the study. The samples were chosen from the oncology and colorectal surgical ward of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Sixty-eight colorectal cancer patients who received chemotherapy were randomly assigned into experimental or control group. The experimental group received a 20-minute progressive muscle relaxation training twice a day during chemotherapy period. The control group received ward routine care. Symptom Distress Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory and Vital Signs were used to assess symptom distress and anxiety level during chemotherapy period. We collected statistical analysis by SPSS for Windows 19.0 Chinese version. The results showed that: （1）Progressive muscle relaxation training can significantly reduce symptom distress of the patients who undergo chemotherapy (p < .01), which included the nausea, vomiting, appetite, insomnia, pain, fatigue, cough, bloating, dry mouth , restlessness, inability to concentrate and heartburn. （2）Progressive muscle relaxation training can significantly reduce patients’ anxiety arising from chemotherapy (p < .01). （3）Progressive muscle relaxation training can significantly reduce patients’ blood pressure as the result of chemotherapy (p < .05). （4）The relevant factors of the impact of progressive muscle relaxation training to improve symptom distress and anxiety: Trait anxiety, symptom distress and state anxiety showed negative correlation (r = -0.59, p < .01; r = -0.70, p < .01). This proved that patients with low trait anxiety using progressive muscle relaxation training have better effect to improve symptom distress and anxiety caused by chemotherapy. Education level also showed a significant correlation with symptom distress (t = -2.12, p = .04). Patients with high school, vocational school or higher level education using progressive muscle relaxation training can improve symptom distress during chemotherapy. From the above descriptions we conclude that: progressive muscle relaxation training can improve symptom distress and anxiety during chemotherapy. Trait anxiety and education level will affect the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation training. The research result provides the references for clinical nursing practice.

碩士
國立體育學院
運動科學研究所
85
The purpose of this study had four-fold. First, to develop a state anxiety inventory for assessing children，s state anxiety ； second , to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s self-reported state anxiety before a 1000m running test；third , to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s physical reponses before a 1000m running test ；fourth, to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s performance of 1000m running test.Four hundred and fifty-six 5th and 6th grade children recruited from Wen-Lin elementary school were asked to complete a state anxiety inventory befor the 1000m running test. Based on the score of state anxiety inventory, 30 children who were high state anxiety were recruited to the experiment and they were randomly assigned as either relaxation training group or control group.subjects in experimental group were received 24 sessions progressive muscle relaxation training. After a five-week training period, subjects were asked to attend a 1000m running test. Subjects self-reported state anxiety, physical responses and performance were measured prior to the test. The results of this study indicated that：（1）There was no significant differences on self-reported state enxiety between relaxation training group and control group. （2）There was no significant differences on heart rate between relaxation training group and control group. （3）Subjects in relaxation training group revealed lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than control group subjects before 1000m running test. （4）There was no significant difference of 1000m running test between relaxation training group and control group. According to the results of this study, some suggestions were proposed for the future research.

碩士
南華大學
生死學系
100
This study explores the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on relaxation music performance anxiety. This paper relys mainly on mental measurement of anxiety reaction to investigate the experimental treatments effect on relaxation of music performance anxiety. With study tools of "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" and "Kenny’s Music Performance Anxiety Inventory for Adolescents, MPAI-A","self investigate No.1"and "self investigate No.2". The experiment samples from two elementary music-telented classes who grades from five The data analyzed through qualification statistics analysis and interviews was then used to discuss the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on relaxation music performance anxiety.. This study has two purposes: (1)study the preparation effects of progressive muscle relaxation training for music-telented students to ease the anxiety of state、trait and music performance anxiety.(2)study the contingency effects of progressive muscle relaxation training for music-telented students alleviate of state、trait and performance anxiety. The study includes：(1) probe into the performance anxiety of target students before an eight-week progressive muscle relaxation training courses prior to the performance (two months before performance) and after the 8 weeks progressive muscle relaxation training courses (half an hour before performance). The sampling divides the students into experimental group and control group, then measure on the results before and after the progressive muscle relaxation training for the two groups. (2) only contain one experimental group, the study compares the subject’s anxiety before conducting the progressive muscle relaxation training (half hours before performance),and after (ten minutes prior to performance). The research utilizes One-Way ANCOVA and One-Way ANOVA to discuss its results: (Ⅰ) progressive muscle relaxation training can not effectively alleviate the preparation state、trait and performance anxiety. (Ⅱ) progressive muscle relaxation training can effectively alleviate the contingency performance anxiety, although it can not effectively alleviate the immediate state and trait anxiety，but can help alleviate the state anxiety to grow. (Ⅲ)The experimental group students had positive feedback about the effects of progressive muscle relaxation training on alleviating performance anxiety. Finally, based on the research findings, teachers can apply the progressive muscle relaxation training in their courses and the researchers can further extend the study.

by Cheung Yuk Lung.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-111).
Abstracts in English and Chinese; questionnaires in Chinese.
Acknowledgements --- p.i-ii
摘要 --- p.iii-iv
Abstract --- p.v-vi
Table of Contents --- p.vii-viii
List of Tables --- p.ix
List of Figures --- p.x
Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature Review
Anxiety --- p.3
Quality of Life --- p.8
Quality of Life for Stoma Patients --- p.19
Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Reducing Anxiety and Promoting Quality of Life --- p.24
The Rationale of Using PMRT in Reducing Anxiety and Promoting Quality of Life --- p.35
Summary of Literature Review --- p.38
Chapter Chapter 3. --- Methods
Research Design --- p.40
Aim and Objectives --- p.41
Hypotheses --- p.42
Operational Definitions --- p.43
Ethical Consideration --- p.44
Sample --- p.45
Intervention --- p.47
Instruments --- p.49
Data Collection and Randomization --- p.54
Pilot Study --- p.56
Method of Data Analysis --- p.57
Chapter Chapter 4. --- Results
Internal Consistency of the Instruments --- p.59
Subjects' Characteristics --- p.60
"Baseline Assessment of State-Anxiety, Trait-Anxiety, QoL-Colostomy and WHO-QoL Scores " --- p.64
Effect of PMRT on the State-Anxiety and Quality of Life --- p.65
The Frequency of Practicing PMRT --- p.71
Chapter Chapter 5. --- Discussion and Conclusion
Discussion --- p.75
Limitations --- p.84
Recommendations and Implications for Future Studies --- p.88
Conclusion --- p.93
References --- p.95
Appendixes
Chapter 1 . --- Letters of Ethical Approval
Chapter 2. --- Letter of Request for Access Aapproval
Chapter 3. --- Informed Consent
Chapter 4. --- Questionnaires
Chapter 5. --- Content Validity Index of Chinese Version of QoL-Colostomy

Examining flotation Restricted Environment Stimulation Technique (REST) as a performance enhancement tool in sport has produced positive results. However, earlier studies using flotation REST combined the technique with guided imagery, confounding the effect that REST-only might have on sport performance. Although more recent studies have examined the effects of flotation REST-only on athletic performance, they have only considered fine motor activities. The current study tested the effects of REST, without guided imagery, on rowing ergometer performance, a gross motor, endurance activity. Further more, the study attempted to ascertain why rowers might benefit from including a period of flotation in their training regime, and whether the flotation REST environment was better for mental training than a Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) condition. Subjects (n=24) were male novice and varsity university rowers. Subjects were matched based on previous ergometer scores, imagery use, and imagery ability, and randomly assigned to either a flotation REST condition or a PMR condition. Both groups were exposed to six administrations of one condition over a 7-week period, during which time they completed three 2000-meter ergometer tests, were part of their required training schedule. Results showed a significant improvement in ergometer scores for the REST group, with no significant improvement for the PMR group. The imagery data suggest several alternative explanations for the effect of environment on mental training, while the physical training data suggest a possible link between flotation REST and recovery from physical fatigue.

Yu Sau Fung.
"October 2004."
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 389-460)
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Abstracts in English and Chinese.

碩士
國立屏東師範學院
體育教學碩士班
92
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study had three-fold. First, to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s self-reported state anxiety before a 800m running test；second , to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s physical responses before a 800m running test ；third , to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on children，s performance of 800m running test. Based on CSAL, a state anxiety for assessing children''s state anxiety which was revised by Samsng in 1996. 452 grade 5 and grade 6 children recruited from San-Ding elementary school in Kaohsiung County were asked to complete a state anxiety inventory before the 800m running test. Based on the score of state anxiety inventory, 50 children who were high state anxiety were recruited to the experiment and they were randomly assigned as either relaxation training group or control group. Subjects in experimental group were received 24 sessions progressive muscle relaxation training. After a training period, subjects were asked to attend a 800m running test. Subjects self-reported state anxiety, physical responses and performance were measured prior to the test. The results of this study indicated that：（1）There was no significant differences on self-confidence, body anxiety, state anxiety between relaxation t raining group and control group. （2）There was no significant differences on heart rate between relaxation training group and control group but subjects in relaxation training group revealed lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than control group subjects before 800m running test. （3）There was no significant difference of 800m running test between relaxation training group and control group. According to the results of this study, some suggestions were proposed for the future research especially on setting P.E. into action or team training.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1988.
Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-110).

碩士
國立新竹教育大學
人資處音樂教學碩士班
95
This study explores the effects of three different treatments, “music listening”, “progressive muscle relaxation”, and “music listening and progressive muscle relaxation” on relaxation of test anxiety. Rely mainly on mental measurement of anxiety reaction, auxiliary with physiological parameters, finger temperature and galvanic skin reflex (GSR), to investigate the experimental treatments effect on relaxation of test anxiety. With study tools of “self inventory No.1”, “self inventory No. 2”, “physiological description recorder” and “music impression questionnaire investigation”, four classes of grade five in one primary school in Hsinchu city, the research objects is to amount to 117 students. With statistical methods of independent-samples T test, Paired-samples T test and three way analyses of variance to test the relation of different state by physiology with different experimental methods, different sex and different trait anxiety. The result shows: (1) all “music listening”, “progressive muscle relaxation” and “music listening and progressive muscle relaxation” get positive effect on relaxation of test anxiety; (2) all “music listening”, “progressive muscle relaxation” and “music listening and progressive muscle relaxation” get positive effect on relaxation of test anxiety for boys and girls; (3) all “music listening”, “progressive muscle relaxation” and “music listening and progressive muscle relaxation” get positive effect on relaxation of test anxiety for different degree of trait anxiety; (4) To select music which students are interested in and to train the posture listened to and relaxing attentively, can pacify and relax anxious mood effectively. Based on the result in this study, a suggestion is proposed to teachers and parents as a reference for further study in the future.