Relaxation therapy in mental health nursing

Relaxation techniques: Try these steps to reduce stress

Relaxation techniques can reduce stress symptoms and help you enjoy a better quality of life, especially if you have an illness. Explore relaxation techniques you can do by yourself.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Relaxation techniques are a great way to help with stress management. Relaxation isn’t only about peace of mind or enjoying a hobby. It’s a process that decreases the stress effects on your mind and body. Relaxation techniques can help you cope with everyday stress. And these techniques can help with long-term stress or stress related to various health problems, such as heart disease and pain.

Whether your stress is spiraling out of control or you’ve already got it tamed, you can benefit from learning relaxation techniques. Learning basic relaxation techniques is easy. Relaxation techniques are often free or low cost, pose little risk, and can be done nearly anywhere.

Explore simple relaxation techniques and get started on de-stressing your life and improving your health and overall well-being.

The benefits of relaxation techniques

When faced with many responsibilities and tasks or the demands of an illness, relaxation techniques may not be a priority in your life. But that means you might miss out on the health benefits of relaxation.

Practicing relaxation techniques can have many benefits, such as:

• Slowing heart rate
• Lowering blood pressure
• Slowing breathing rate
• Improving digestion
• Controlling blood sugar levels
• Reducing activity of stress hormones
• Increasing blood flow to major muscles
• Reducing muscle tension and chronic pain
• Improving focus and mood
• Improving sleep quality
• Lowering fatigue
• Reducing anger and frustration
• Boosting confidence to handle problems

To get the most benefit, use relaxation techniques along with other positive coping methods, such as:

• Thinking positively
• Finding humor
• Problem-solving
• Managing time and priorities
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Spending time outside
• Reaching out to supportive family and friends

Types of relaxation techniques

Health care providers such as complementary and integrative health specialists and mental health providers can teach many relaxation techniques. But you can also learn some relaxation techniques on your own.

In general, relaxation techniques involve refocusing your attention on something calming and increasing awareness of your body. It doesn’t matter which relaxation technique you choose. What matters is that you try to practice relaxation regularly to reap its benefits.

Types of relaxation techniques include:

• Autogenic relaxation. Autogenic means something that comes from within you. In this relaxation technique, you use both visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress.

  You repeat words or suggestions in your mind that may help you relax and reduce muscle tension. For example, you may imagine a peaceful setting. Then you can focus on relaxing your breathing, slowing your heart rate, or feeling different physical sensations, such as relaxing each arm or leg one by one.

• Progressive muscle relaxation. In this relaxation technique, you focus on slowly tensing and then relaxing each muscle group.

  This can help you focus on the difference between muscle tension and relaxation. You can become more aware of physical sensations.

  In one method of progressive muscle relaxation, you start by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and progressively working your way up to your neck and head. This is best done in a quiet area without interruptions. You can also start with your head and neck and work down to your toes. Tense your muscles for about five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds, and repeat.

• Visualization. In this relaxation technique, you may form mental images to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation.

  To relax using visualization, try to include as many senses as you can, such as smell, sight, sound and touch. If you imagine relaxing at the ocean, for instance, think about the smell of salt water, the sound of crashing waves and the warmth of the sun on your body.

  You may want to close your eyes, sit in a quiet spot, loosen any tight clothing, and focus on your breathing. Aim to focus on the present and think positive thoughts.

Other relaxation techniques may include:

• Deep breathing
• Massage
• Meditation
• Tai chi
• Yoga
• Biofeedback
• Music and art therapy
• Aromatherapy
• Hydrotherapy

Relaxation techniques take practice

As you learn relaxation techniques, you can become more aware of muscle tension and other physical sensations of stress. Once you know what the stress response feels like, you can make a conscious effort to practice a relaxation technique the moment you start to feel stress symptoms. This can prevent stress from spiraling out of control and decreasing your quality of life.

Remember that relaxation techniques are skills. As with any skill, your ability to relax improves with practice. Be patient with yourself. Don’t let your effort to practice relaxation techniques become yet another stressor.

If one relaxation technique doesn’t work for you, try another technique. If none of your efforts at stress reduction seems to work, talk to your health care provider about other options.

Also, keep in mind that some people, especially those with serious mental health issues and a history of abuse, may experience feelings of emotional discomfort during some relaxation techniques. Although this is rare, if you experience emotional discomfort during relaxation techniques, stop what you’re doing. Consider talking to your health care provider or mental health provider.

 

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1. Complementary, alternative, or integrative health: What’s in a name? National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health. Accessed Dec. 22, 2021.
2. Relaxation techniques for health. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/stress/relaxation.htm. Accessed Dec. 22, 2021.
3. Pizzorno JE, et al., eds. Stress management. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 22, 2021.
4. Seaward BL. Essentials of Managing Stress. 5th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2021.
5. Seaward BL. Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being. 9th ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2018.
6. AskMayoExpert. Stress management and resiliency (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2021.

See more In-depth

Learn about Relaxation Therapy and whether it’s really helpful for anxiety, stress, depression, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, fibromyalgia and chronic pain.

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization’s standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

Background

Numerous relaxation techniques and behavioral therapeutic approaches exist, with a range of philosophies and styles of practice. Most techniques involve repetition (of a specific word, sound, prayer, phrase, body sensation or muscular activity) and encourage a passive attitude toward intruding thoughts.

Methods may be deep or brief:

• Deep relaxation methods include autogenic training, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation.

• Brief relaxation methods include self-controlled relaxation, paced respiration and deep breathing.

Other related techniques include guided imagery, passive muscle relaxation and refocusing. Applied relaxation often involves imagining situations to cause muscular and mental relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation aims to teach people what it feels like to relax by comparing relaxation with muscle tension.

 

Relaxation techniques are taught by many types of health care professionals, including complementary practitioners, medical doctors, psychotherapists, hypnotherapists, nurses or sports therapists. There is no formal credentialing for relaxation therapy. Books, audiotapes or videotapes are sometimes used as teaching tools.

Theory

During stressful situations, the sympathetic nervous system increases activity, leading to the “fight-or-flight” response. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood supply to the muscles and dilation of the pupils often increase. It has been suggested that chronic stress may lead to negative effects on health such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, upset stomach or gastrointestinal distress, and weakening of the immune system.

Harvard professor and cardiologist Herbert Benson, M.D., coined the term the “Relaxation Response” in the early 1970s to describe a state of the body that is the opposite of the stress response. The Relaxation Response is proposed to have the opposite effects of the stress response, including reduced sympathetic nervous system tone, increased parasympathetic activity, decreased metabolism, decreased blood pressure, decreased oxygen consumption and decreased heart rate. It is theorized that relaxation may counteract some of the negative long-term effects of chronic stress. Proposed relaxation techniques include massage, deep meditation, mind/body interaction, music- or sound-induced relaxation, mental imagery, biofeedback, desensitization, cognitive restructuring and adaptive self-statements. Rhythmic, deep, visualized or diaphragmatic breathing may be used.

One type of relaxation called Jacobson muscle relaxation, or progressive relaxation, involves flexing specific muscles, holding the tension and then relaxing. The technique involves progressing through muscle groups one at a time, beginning with the feet, up to the head, spending about one minute on each area. Progressive relaxation may be practiced while lying down or sitting. This technique has been proposed for psychosomatic disorders (those originating in the mind), pain relief and anxiety. The Laura Mitchell approach involves reciprocal relaxation, moving a part of the body in a direction opposite of an area of tension and then letting it go.

Evidence

Scientists have studied relaxation therapy for the following health problems:

Anxiety and stress
Numerous studies in humans suggest that relaxation therapy (for example, using audio tapes or group therapy) may moderately reduce anxiety, phobias such as agoraphobia (fear of crowds), dental fear, panic disorder and anxiety resulting from severe illnesses or before medical procedures. However, most research is not high quality, and it is not clear which specific relaxation approaches are most effective. Better evidence is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Depression
Early studies in humans report that relaxation may temporarily reduce symptoms of depression. Well-designed research is needed to confirm these results.

Insomnia
Several studies suggest that relaxation therapy may help people with insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep longer. Cognitive (mind) forms of relaxation such as meditation may be more effective than somatic (body) forms such as progressive muscle relaxation. Most studies are not well designed or reported. Better research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Pain
Most studies of relaxation for pain are poor quality and report conflicting results. Multiple types and causes of pain have been studied. Better research is necessary before a clear conclusion can be drawn.

High blood pressure
Relaxation techniques have been associated with reduced pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, lower perception of stress and enhanced perception of health. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Premenstrual syndrome
There is early evidence that progressive muscle relaxation may improve physical and emotional symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Better-quality research is necessary before a recommendation can be made.

Menopausal symptoms
There is promising early evidence from trials in humans supporting the use of relaxation therapy to temporarily reduce menopausal symptoms. Better-quality research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Headache
Preliminary evidence suggests that relaxation therapy may help reduce the severity of headaches in children and migraine symptoms in adults. Positive changes in self-perceived pain frequency, pain intensity and duration, quality of life, health status, pain related disability and depression have been reported. Additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Early trials in humans report that relaxation therapy may be helpful in reducing nausea related to cancer chemotherapy. Better-quality research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Limited early research reports that muscle relaxation may improve function and quality of life in people with rheumatoid arthritis. More studies are needed to reach a firm conclusion.

Smoking cessation
Early research reports that relaxation with imagery may reduce relapse rates in people who successfully completed stop-smoking programs. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Facial paralysis
In a randomized clinical trial, mime therapy — including automassage, relaxation exercises, inhibition of synkinesis, coordination exercises and emotional expression exercises — was shown to be a good treatment choice for patients with sequelae of facial paralysis.

Fibromyalgia
Relaxation has been reported to reduce fibromyalgia pain in one randomized controlled study. However, results from other studies are conflicting, and therefore further research is needed before a clear recommendation can be made.

Osteoarthritis pain
In a randomized study of patients with osteoarthritis pain, Jacobson relaxation was reported to lower the level of subjective pain over time. The study concluded that relaxation may be effective in reducing the amount of analgesic medication taken by participants. Further well-designed research is needed to confirm these results.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Results of randomized controlled studies of relaxation techniques for obsessive-compulsive disorder show conflicting results. Further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

Asthma
Preliminary studies of relaxation techniques in individuals with asthma report a significant decrease in asthma symptoms, anxiety and depression, along with improvements in quality of life and measures of lung function. Further large trials in humans are needed to confirm these results.

Well-being
Studies assessing relaxation to improve psychological well-being and “calm” in multiple types of patients have reported positive results, although the results of most trials have not been statistically significant. Although this research is suggestive, additional work is merited before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Irritable bowel disease
Early research in humans suggests that relaxation may aid in the prevention and relief of irritable bowel disease symptoms. Large, well-designed trials are needed to confirm these results.

HIV/AIDS
Mental health and quality-of-life improvements have been seen in preliminary studies of HIV/AIDS patients. These findings suggest the need for further, well-controlled research.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Relaxation therapy has been associated with benefits in preliminary studies of tinnitus patients. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Huntington’s disease
Preliminary research in patients with Huntington’s disease has evaluated the effects of either multisensory stimulation or relaxation activities (control) for four weeks, with unclear results. Further research is necessary before a conclusion can be drawn.

Angina
Preliminary research in patients with angina reports that relaxation may reduce anxiety, depression, frequency of angina episodes, medication need and physical limitations. Large well-designed studies are needed to confirm these results.

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Initial research in which patients were given an advice and relaxation audiotape within 24 hours of hospital admission for a heart attack found a reduction in the number of misconceptions about heart disease, but no benefits on measured health-related outcomes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Relaxation has been studied for post-traumatic stress disorder with no benefit seen in these patients.

Neurocardiogenic syncope
A small study showed that biofeedback-assisted relaxation benefits patients with neurocardiogenic syncope. Further study is necessary to confirm these results.

 

Unproven Uses

Relaxation therapy has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Consult with a health care provider before using relaxation therapy for any use.

Abdominal pain
Addiction
Adjustment disorder (a behavioral problem)
Aging
Alcohol abuse
Alzheimer’s disease
Anger
Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
Balance problems
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic pain
Communicative disorders
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes
Drug abuse
Dyspepsia
Emotional distress
Emotional self-regulation
Exercise performance
Gastritis
Gastrointestinal disorders
Heart disease
Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body)
Herpes virus
High cholesterol
Hyperactivity
Immune system stimulation Improved sleep quality
Increased breast milk
Infertility
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ischemic heart disease
Longevity
Low back pain
Migraine headache
Neurogenic cognitive disorders
Night eating syndrome
Panic disorder
Parkinson’s disease
Pelvic floor spasms
Peptic ulcer disease
Postoperative pain
Promotion of long-term health
Psoriasis
Psychiatric disorders
Quality of life
Repetitive strain injuries
Road rage
Rosacea
Sleep disorders
Social phobias
Stress-related disorders
Tension headache (in adults)
Tourette’s disorder
Warts
Wound healing

 

Potential Dangers

Most forms of relaxation therapy are considered safe in healthy adults, and severe adverse effects have not been reported. It has been theorized that relaxation therapy may increase anxiety in some individuals or that it may cause autogenic discharges (sudden, unexpected emotional experiences characterized by pain, heart palpitations, muscle twitching, crying spells or increased blood pressure). People with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or psychosis should avoid relaxation therapy unless recommended by a qualified health care provider. Relaxation techniques that involve inward focusing may intensify a depressed mood, although this has not been clearly shown in scientific studies.

Jacobson relaxation techniques (flexing specific muscles, holding the tension, then relaxing the muscles) and similar approaches should be used cautiously by people with heart disease, high blood pressure or musculoskeletal injuries.

Relaxation therapy is not recommended as the sole treatment for potentially severe medical conditions. It should not delay diagnosis by a qualified health care provider and treatment with more proven techniques.

Summary

Relaxation therapy has been suggested for many conditions. Early scientific evidence suggests that relaxation may play a role in treating anxiety, although better studies are needed that identify which approaches are most effective. Research also reports possible effectiveness for anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome and headache, although this evidence is early and better studies are needed to form clear conclusions. Relaxation is generally believed to be safe when practiced appropriately, but it should not be used as the sole treatment for severe illnesses.

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

back to: Alternative Medicine Home ~ Alternative Medicine Treatments

Resources

1. Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Selected Scientific Studies: Relaxation Therapy

Natural Standard reviewed more than 320 articles to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

1. Arntz A. Cognitive therapy versus applied relaxation as treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Behav Res Ther 2003;Jun, 41(6):633-646.
2. Astin JA. Mind-body therapies for the management of pain. Clin J Pain 2004;20(1):27-32.
3. Beck JG, Stanley MA, Baldwin LE, et al. Comparison of cognitive therapy and relaxation training for panic disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol 1994;62(4):818-826.
4. Berger AM, VonEssen S, Kuhn BR, et al. Adherence, sleep, and fatigue outcomes after adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy: results of a feasibility intervention study. Oncol Nurs Forum 2003;May-Jun, 30(3):513-522.
5. Biggs QM, Kelly KS, Toney JD. The effects of deep diaphragmatic breathing and focused attention on dental anxiety in a private practice setting. J Dent Hyg 2003;Spring, 77(2):105-113.
6. Blanchard EB, Appelbaum KA, Guarnieri P, et al. Five year prospective follow-up on the treatment of chronic headache with biofeedback and/or relaxation. Headache 1987;27(10):580-583.
7. Borkovec TD, Newman MG, Pincus AL, Lytle R. A component analysis of cognitive-behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and the role of interpersonal problems. J Consult Clin Psychol 2002;Apr, 70(2):288-298.

 

1. Boyce PM, Talley NJ, Balaam B. A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation training, and routine clinical care for the irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol 2003;98(10):2209-2218.
2. Broota A, Dhir R. Efficacy of two relaxation techniques in depression. J Pers Clin Stud 1990;6:83-90.
3. Bugbee ME, Wellisch DK, Arnott IM, et al. Breast core-needle biopsy: clinical trial of relaxation technique versus medication versus no intervention for anxiety reduction. Radiology 2005;234(1):73-78.
4. Carroll D, Seers K. Relaxation for the relief of chronic pain: a systematic review. J Adv Nurs 1998;27(3):476-487.
5. Cheung YL, Molassiotis A, Chang AM. The effect of progressive muscle relaxation training on anxiety and quality of life after stoma surgery in colorectal cancer patients. Psychooncology 2003;Apr-May, 12(3):254-266.
6. Cimprich B, Ronis DL. An environmental intervention to restore attention in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Cancer Nurs 2003;Aug, 26(4):284-292. Quiz, 293-294.
7. Deckro GR, Ballinger KM, Hoyt M, et al. The evaluation of a mind/body intervention to reduce psychological distress and perceived stress in college students. J Am Coll Health 2002;May, 50(6):281-287.
8. Delaney JP, Leong KS, Watkins A, Brodie D. The short-term effects of myofascial trigger point massage therapy on cardiac autonomic tone in healthy subjects. J Adv Nurs 2002;Feb, 37(4):364-371.
9. Diette GB, Lechtzin N, Haponik E, et al. Distraction therapy with nature sights and sounds reduces pain during flexible bronchoscopy: a complementary approach to routine analgesia. Chest 2003;Mar, 123(3):941-948.
10. Edelen C, Perlow M. A comparison of the effectiveness of an opioid analgesic and a nonpharmacologic intervention to improve incentive spirometry volumes. Pain Manag Nurs 2002;Mar, 3(1):36-42. +
11. Egner T, Strawson E, Gruzelier JH. EEG signature and phenomenology of alpha/theta neurofeedback training versus mock feedback. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2002;Dec, 27(4):261-270.
12. Engel JM, Rapoff MA, Pressman AR. Long-term follow-up of relaxation training for pediatric headache disorders. Headache 1992;32(3):152-156.
13. Eppley KR, Abrams AI, Shear J. Differential effects of relaxation techniques on trait anxiety: a meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol 1989;45(6):957-974.
14. Fors EA, Sexton H, Gotestam KG. The effect of guided imagery and amitriptyline on daily fibromyalgia pain: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. J Psychiatr Res 2002;May-Jun, 36(3):179-187.
15. Foster RL, Yucha CB, Zuk J, Vojir CP. Physiologic correlates of comfort in healthy children. Pain Manag Nurs 2003;Mar, 4(1):23-30.
16. Gay MC, Philippot P, Luminet O. Differential effectiveness of psychological interventions for reducing osteoarthritis pain: a comparison of Erikson [correction of Erickson] hypnosis and Jacobson relaxation. Eur J Pain 2002;6(1):1-16.
17. Ginsburg GS, Drake KL. School-based treatment for anxious african-american adolescents: a controlled pilot study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002;Jul, 41(7):768-775.
18. Good M, Anderson GC, Stanton-Hicks M, et al. Relaxation and music reduce pain after gynecologic surgery. Pain Manag Nurs 2002;Jun, 3(2):61-70.
19. Good M, Stanton-Hicks M, Grass JA, et al. Relaxation and music to reduce postsurgical pain. J Adv Nurs 2001;33(2):208-215.
20. Goodale IL, Domar AD, Benson H. Alleviation of premenstrual syndrome symptoms with the relaxation response. Obstet Gynecol 1990;75(4):649-655.
21. Grazzi L, Andrasik F, Usai S, et al. Pharmcological behavioural treatment for children and adolescents with tension-type headache: preliminary data. Neurol Sci 2004;25(Suppl 3):270-271.
22. Greist JH, Marks IM, Baer L, et al. Behavior therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder guided by a computer or by a clinician compared with relaxation as a control. J Clin Psychiatry 2002;Feb, 63(2):138-145.
23. Grover N, Kumaraiah V, Prasadrao PS, D’Souza G. Cognitive behavioural intervention in bronchial asthma. J Assoc Physicians India 2002;Jul, 50:896-900.
24. Halpin LS, Speir AM, CapoBianco P, Barnett SD. Guided imagery in cardiac surgery. Outcomes Manag 2002;Jul-Sep, 6(3):132-137.
25. Hanley J, Stirling P, Brown C. Randomised controlled trial of therapeutic massage in the management of stress. Br J Gen Pract 2003;Jan, 53(486):20-25.
26. Harvey L, Inglis SJ, Espie CA. Insomniacs’ reported use of CBT components and relationship to long-term clinical outcome. Behav Res Ther 2002;Jan, 40(1):75-83.
27. Hattan J, King L, Griffiths P. The impact of foot massage and guided relaxation following cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs 2002;Jan, 37(2):199-207.
28. Hockemeyer J, Smyth J. Evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of a self-administered manual-based stress management intervention for individuals with asthma: results from a controlled study. Behav Med 2002;Winter, 27(4):161-172.
29. Hoebeke P, Van Laecke E, Renson C, et al. Pelvic floor spasms in children: an unknown condition responding well to pelvic floor therapy. Eur Urol 2004;46(5):651-654; discussion, 654.
30. Houghton LA, Calvert EL, Jackson NA, et al. Visceral sensation and emotion: a study using hypnosis. Gut 2002;Nov, 51(5):701-704.
31. Irvin JH, Domar AD, Clark C, et al. The effects of relaxation response training on menopausal symptoms. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 1996;17(4):202-207.
32. Jacob RG, Chesney MA, Williams DM, et al. Relaxation therapy for hypertension: design effects and treatment effects. Ann Behav Med 1991;13(1):5-17.
33. Jacobs GD, Rosenberg PA, Friedman R, et al. Multifactor behavioral treatment of chronic sleep-onset insomnia using stimulus control and the relaxation response: a preliminary study. Behav Modif 1993;17(4):498-509.
34. Kircher T, Teutsch E, Wormstall H, et al. Effects of autogenic training in elderly patients [Article in German]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2002;Apr, 35(2):157-165.
35. Kober A, Scheck T, Schubert B, et al. Auricular acupressure as a treatment for anxiety in prehospital transport settings. Anesthesiology 2003;Jun, 98(6):1328-1332.
36. Kohen DP. Relaxation/mental imagery (self-hypnosis) for childhood asthma: behavioral outcomes in a prospective, controlled study. Hypnos 1995;22:132-144.
37. Kroener-Herwig B, Denecke H. Cognitive-behavioral therapy of pediatric headache: are there differences in efficacy between a therapist-administered group training and a self-help format? J Psychosom Res 2002;Dec, 53(6):1107-1114.
38. Kroner-Herwig B, Frenzel A, Fritsche G, et al. The management of chronic tinnitus: comparison of an outpatient cognitive-behavioral group training to minimal-contact interventions. J Psychosom Res 2003;Apr, 54(4):381-389.
39. Lechner SC, Antoni MH, Lydston D, et al. Cognitive-behavioral interventions improve quality of life in women with AIDS. J Psychosom Res 2003;Mar, 54(3):253-261.
40. Lee DW, Chan KW, Poon CM, et al. Relaxation music decreases the dose of patient-controlled sedation during colonoscopy: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Gastrointest Endosc 2002;Jan, 55(1):33-36.
41. Lemstra M, Stewart B, Olszynski WP. Effectiveness of multidisciplinary intervention in the treatment of migraine: a randomized clinical trial. Headache 2002;Oct, 42(9):845-854.
42. Leng TR, Woodward MJ, Stokes MJ, et al. Effects of multisensory stimulation in people with Huntington’s disease: a randomized controlled pilot study. Clin Rehabil 2003;Feb, 17(1):30-41.
43. Lewin RJ, Furze G, Robinson J, et al. A randomised controlled trial of a self-management plan for patients with newly diagnosed angina. Br J Gen Pract 2002;Mar, 52(476):194-196, 199-201.
44. Lewin RJ, Thompson DR, Elton RA. Trial of the effects of an advice and relaxation tape given within the first 24 h of admission to hospital with acute myocardial infarction. Int J Cardiol 2002;Feb, 82(2):107-114. Discussion, 115-116.
45. Lichstein KL, Peterson BA, Riedel BW, et al. Relaxation to assist sleep medication withdrawal. Behav Modif 1999;23(3):379-402.
46. Livanou M, Basoglu M, Marks IM, et al. Beliefs, sense of control and treatment outcome in post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychol Med 2002;Jan, 32(1):157-165.
47. Machiko T, Katsutaro N, Chika O. A study of psychoneuroendocrinological effects of music therapy [Article in Japanese]. Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi 2003;105(4):468-472.
48. Mandle CL, Jacobs SC, Arcari PM, et al. The efficacy of relaxation response interventions with adult patients: a review of the literature. J Cardiovasc Nurs 1996;10(3):4-26.
49. Mastenbroek I, McGovern L. The effectiveness of relaxation techniques in controlling chemotherapy induced nausea: a literature review. Austral Occupat Ther J 1991;38(3):137-142.
50. Mataix-Cols D, Marks IM, Greist JH, et al. Obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions as predictors of compliance with and response to behaviour therapy: results from a controlled trial. Psychother Psychosom 2002;Sep-Oct, 71(5):255-262.
51. McCain NL, Munjas BA, Munro CL, et al. Effects of stress management on PNI-based outcomes in persons with HIV disease. Res Nurs Health 2003;Apr, 26(2):102-117.
52. McGrady AV, Kern-Buell C, Bush E, et al. Biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy in neurocardiogenic syncope: a pilot study. Appl Psychophysio Biofeedback 2003;28(3):183-192.
53. Morley S, Eccleston C, Williams A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy and behaviour therapy for chronic pain in adults, excluding headache. Pain 1999;80(1-2):1-13.
54. Murray LL, Kim HY. A review of select alternative treatment approaches for acquired neurogenic disorders: relaxation therapy and acupuncture. Semin Speech Lang 2004;25(2):133-149.
55. NIH Technology Assessment Panel on Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia. Integration of behavioral and relaxation approaches into the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. JAMA 1996;276(4):313-318.
56. Okvat HA, Oz MC, Ting W, Namerow PB. Massage therapy for patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Altern Ther Health Med 2002;May-Jun, 8(3):68-70, 72, 74-75.
57. Ost LG, Breitholtz E. Applied relaxation vs. cognitive therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Behav Res Ther 2000;38(8):777-790.
58. Ostelo RW, van Tulder MW, Vlaeyen JW, et al. Behavioural treatment for chronic low-back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005;Jan 25(1):CD002014.
59. Pallesen S, Nordhus IH, Kvale G, et al. Behavioral treatment of insomnia in older adults: an open clinical trial comparing two interventions. Behav Res Ther 2003;Jan, 41(1):31-48.
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