relaxation research metaanalysis

1
relaxation research meta-analysis

• 29 prospective randomised controlled trials
  of PMR published between 1981 and 1992
• 1,206 subjects malesfemales average age 18 to
  74 years
• chronic headache migraine (8 studies)
  cancer chemotherapy (6 studies) essential
  hypertension (5 studies) other disorders -
  stress, depression, dysmenorrhea, low back
  neck pain, menopausal flushes, immunity

Carlson CR et al Efficacy of abbreviated PMR
training a quantitative review of
behavioral medicine research J Consult Clin
Psychol 1993611059-67
2
relaxation meta-analysis results
overall the results of this review present an
encouraging picture ... (such) methods have a
strong record of efficacy and should be viewed
as an experimentally sound treatment
intervention a broad-spectrum tool
for treating clinical disorders related to
overactivation

• number of sessions it seems that about 12
  sessions over 12 weeks is necessary for optimal
  results
• audiotapes studies that provided practice tapes
  obtained stronger effects than those that did not
• maintenance of improvement benefits tended to
  increase between conclusion follow-up