A factor analytic study of the acceptance of relaxation through Dohsa training (psychological rehabilitation training)

This study was designed to identify factors which contribute to the acceptance of relaxation. Using the Dohsa Training technique, each of 58 female undergraduate students was given a relaxation procedure applied to the trunk and back. Following this relaxation procedure, subjects were asked to complete a 20 item questionnaire in which a five point rating scale served as an index of the degree of acceptance of relaxation. Factor analysis of the results led to identification of the following three factors: (I) psychological acceptance of the experimental situation; (II) differentiated and integrated bodily awareness; and, (III) feeling of generalized relaxation. A comparison of the factor scores of training and non-training experienced subjects revealed higher scores for the former on Factors I and II. On the other hand, non-training experienced subjects scored higher on Factor III. In addition, the difference in factor scores between concentrated and non-concentrated subjects indicated that volitional concentration on the relaxation process is indispensable for reorganizing self body-image.     

The effectiveness of a person-centred communication skills training programme for the health care professionals of a large hospital in Denmark

ObjectiveAs a part of an evaluation of a large-scale communication skills training (CST) programme, this study aimed to investigate the effect on health care professionals’ (HCPs) self-efficacy (SE) and perceived importance (PI) of the skills taught.MethodsA pre-post intervention design was used, and 1647 HCPs responded to the SE-12 questionnaire. Changes in self-efficacy were examined at an item and scale level.ResultsThe responses of 74% of the HCPs who replied to at least two of the three questionnaires were analysed. A significant increase in the SE-12 scale scores by 12.45 points between Q1 (baseline) and Q2 (immediately after the intervention) across all professions was found. There was a small albeit statistically significant decrease in the SE-12 scale scores by 2.06 points between Q2 and Q3 (24 weeks after the intervention).ConclusionThe implementation of the CST course significantly improved the self-efficacy of HCPs. The findings were supported by an increase in the number of HCPs who considered the skills that they had acquired to be very important.Practice implicationsThe findings suggest that the large-scale implementation of evidence-based CST programmes can yield the same outcomes that have been observed in smaller and better controlled studies.     

Behavioral and Hypnotic Treatments for Insomnia Subtypes

This investigation compared progressive muscle relaxation plus cognitive distraction (PMR/CD), hypothesized to better improve sleep onset, versus sleep restriction and stimulus control (SR/SC), hypothesized to better improve sleep maintenance, versus a flurazepam (Dalmane) positive contrast condition (MED) and a sleep hygiene education minimal treatment control condition (SHE). Participants with chronic insomnia (N = 53), completed 2 baseline weeks of sleep diaries, and were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 2 more weeks. In the second phase, PMR/CD participants were assigned to 2 weeks of PMR/CD + SR/SC + SHE while SHE participants continued SHE. Results indicated that PMR/CD had greater effect upon sleep onset than SR/SC and SHE, SR/SC had greater effect on sleep maintenance than PMR/CD, and MED was better than the other treatments. In the second phase, the treatment package produced modest additional improvements and SHE performed superior to expectations.     

Behavioral and hypnotic treatments for insomnia subtypes

This investigation compared progressive muscle relaxation plus cognitive distraction (PMR/CD), hypothesized to better improve sleep onset, versus sleep restriction and stimulus control (SR/SC), hypothesized to better improve sleep maintenance, versus a flurazepam (Dalmane) positive contrast condition (MED) and a sleep hygiene education minimal treatment control condition (SHE). Participants with chronic insomnia (N = 53), completed 2 baseline weeks of sleep diaries, and were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 2 more weeks. In the second phase, PMR/CD participants were assigned to 2 weeks of PMR/CD + SR/SC + SHE while SHE participants continued SHE. Results indicated that PMR/CD had greater effect upon sleep onset than SR/SC and SHE, SR/SC had greater effect on sleep maintenance than PMR/CD, and MED was better than the other treatments. In the second phase, the treatment package produced modest additional improvements and SHE performed superior to expectations.     

Construct validity of the Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) scale: Relationship of ROD scores to WAIS-R scores in a psychiatric inpatient sample

Three-hundred and two psychiatric inpatients (166 women and 136 men) completed Masling, Rabie, and Blondheim's Rorschach Oral Dependency (ROD) Scale and the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised (WAIS-R). As predicted. ROD scale scores were unrelated to WAIS-R scores in subjects of either sex. These findings support the discriminant validity of the ROD scale as a measure of interpersonal dependency, and suggest that deficits in intellectual ability do not underlie the dependency-related behaviors (e.g., suggestibility, conformity, interpersonal yielding) that are associated with high scores on the ROD scale. Implications of these findings for research on the dependency-academic performance relationship are discussed, and suggestions for future studies assessing the convergent and discriminant validity of the ROD scale are offered. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Relaxation pretraining, pulse wave velocity and thermal biofeedback in the treatment of essential hypertension

Twelve white male subjects with a physician's diagnosis of essential hypertension participated in the study over a 3- to 4-month period (23-38 sessions). Subjects were assigned to one of four sequences of training in which the order of presentation of pulse wave velocity (PWV) or thermal feedback, and presence or absence of relaxation pretraining were varied. The overall effectiveness of the treatment program was demonstrated by average blood pressure decreases of 8.8 mm Hg/4.1 mm Hg from initial session measures to follow-up one month after completion of the program. Systolic pressures were significantly lower at follow-up but not diastolic. In addition, 3 subjects had ceased taking any blood pressure medication by follow-up, and maintained normal pressure. The effectiveness of relaxation pretraining was demonstrated by the fact that relaxation pretrained subjects attained significantly greater blood pressure decreases from baseline to the last 3 sessions of training, and by the fact that relaxation pretraining appeared critical in the acquisition of PWV feedback training.     

The effects of relaxation instructions and emg biofeedback on test anxiety,general anxiety,and locus of control

Examined the applicability of EMG biofeedback to alleviating subjectively experienced test-taking anxiety along with the effects of relaxation training on locus of control. The Achievement Anxiety Test (AAT) was administered to 271 freshman psychology students. Students whose scores indicated high levels of test anxiety were invited to participate. Twenty-seven volunteers were assigned randomly to three groups. Biofeedback (B) Ss received relaxation instructions and EMG biofeedback. Instruction-Control (IC) Ss received instructions alone. A second control group (C) received no treatment. Pre and post measures included the AAT, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Rotter Locus of Control (I-E) Scale. Relaxation training involved eight half-hour sessions, two per week for 4 weeks. B and IC Ss changed significantly from pre to post on the anxiety measures. This was true for specific test-taking anxiety and for general anxiety. C Ss showed no change. On the I-E scale, only IC Ss showed a significant shift toward being more internal.     

大学生受暗示性的测量及其与人格的关系

暗示是人际影响的形式之一 ,间接地影响人们的心理和行为 ,使人们按一定的方式去行动或接受一定的意见、思想[1] 。或者说 ,暗示是采用含蓄的方式 ,通过语言、行动等刺激手段对他人的心理和行为发生影响 ,使他接受某一观念 ,或按某一方式进行活动[2 ] 。而受暗示就是人们对于刺激发生与自己意志相反的顺从的反应[3] 。换句话说 ,受暗示就是人们的反应被控制 ,相信他人所暗示的内容而接受 ,故它不是被迫的行为。受暗示的外在表现 ,是不加批判地接受他人的看法、思想[4 ] 。受暗示与从众不同 ,它是一种非被迫行为 ,并主要是通过自己的信念系统…     

Factors influencing the regularity of meditation practice in a clinical population

Tests were administered to out-patients before learning meditation. High pre-test scores on sensitization, suggestibility, introversion, neuroticism and perceived symptomatology predicted a low practice frequency. Gender, expectations, credibility, locus of control and self-esteem were unrelated to outcome. By two years, 54 per cent had stopped meditating. Meditation appeared to be more rewarding for subjects with milder complaints.     

Effectiveness of attention rehabilitation after an acquired brain injury: a meta-analysis

The efficacy of attention rehabilitation after an acquired brain injury was examined meta-analytically. Thirty studies with a total of 359 participants met the authors' selection criteria. Studies were categorized according to whether training efficacy was evaluated by comparing pre- and posttraining scores only or included a control condition as well. Performance improved significantly (using the d+ statistic) after training in pre-post only studies but not in pre-post with control studies. Further analyses showed that specific-skills training significantly improved performance of tasks requiring attention but that the cognitive-retraining methods included in the meta-analysis did not significantly affect outcomes. These findings demonstrate that acquired deficits of attention are treatable using specific-skills training. Implications of these results for rehabilitation theory and future research are discussed.     

Effects of progressive strength training on the performance of the Functional Reach Test and the Timed Get-Up-and-Go Test in an elderly population from the rural north of Portugal.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intensity progressive strength training program on the performance of two tests related to fall risk: the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Get-Up-and-Go Test (TUG). Twenty subjects were randomly included in one experimental group (age 73 +/- 6 years old) and one control group (age 75 +/- 5 years old). Subjects from the experimental group participated in a strength-training program consisting of three sessions each week for a period of 14 consecutive weeks, from 50% to 80% of 1RM. A 2 (group: experimental vs. control) x 2 (pre-post: pre-test vs. post-test) repeated measures ANOVA was carried out on subjects in TUG and FRT performance. Mean FRT results from the pre-test were significantly lower than mean results from post-test. The two main effects were qualified by a significant group x pre-post interaction, F(1,18) = 39.23, P < 0.001, identifying markedly different performance profiles. Mean TUG results from the pre-test were significantly lower than mean results from post-test. The two main effects were qualified by a significant group x pre-post interaction, F(1,18) = 50.74, P < 0.001, again identifying markedly different performance profiles. Globally, the obtained results through our progressive strength-training program showed important improvements in functional task performance and in preventing falls.     

Effect of EMG Biofeedback and Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training on Awareness of Frontalis Muscle Tension

Awareness of muscle tension, as estimated by a modification of the Kinsman et al. (1975) procedure for determining probability of correct estimation (P(c)) of absolute differences in muscle tension between adjacent trials, was examined before and after volunteer subjects underwent 4 sessions of either: 1) EMG biofeedback (BF) training, 2) progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training, or 3) a placebo-control (MC) procedure which involved listening to music as an alleged guide for relaxation. The subjects were 30 females (mean age = 28.3 yrs) responding to an offering of experimental treatment for anxiety and tension. Measurements of frontalis muscle tension (EMG) and P(c) were made before and after training. The results showed that EMG was significantly reduced by BF and PMR training but not by the MC procedure. Increases in P(c) after training were significantly greater for BF than for PMR or MC training. There were no group differences for subjective report of tension. Correlations between pre- to post-training EMG and P(c) change scores were significant only for the BF group and the combined group of BF and PMR subjects. These results suggest that: 1) both BF and PMR training were effective in producing frontalis EMG reductions, 2) the following relationship may exist among training groups in terms of relative influence upon awareness of tension—BF training > PMR training > MC training, and 3) awareness of tension appears to be related to the ability to reduce EMG although the exact nature of this relationship remains unclear.     

渐进式放松与气功治疗失眠的疗效比较

本文报告了使用气功和渐进式放松两种程序治疗大学生失眠的疗效。研究采用睡眠行为量表对６９名被试冶疗前、治疗中的憎况进行了评估，并于治疗后的第三周、第六周、三个月分别进行了追踪调查。结果表明：两种程序对改善被试的睡眠情况有同样显著的效果，主要为入睡情况的改善，在治疗后３个月的追踪中发现这种疗效得到了很好的保持。     

放松训练对脑电、心率变异及情绪的影响

目的：观察放松训练对受试者脑电、心率变异、情绪、肌电和皮肤末梢循环的影响，以及以上各因素之间的关系，探讨放松训练对抗精神紧张、改善心身健康的心理生理机制。方法：将60名大学生分为实验组和对照组；实验组集体接受放松训练2个月，对照组不接受任何放松训练；两组实验期间同时经历考试应激过程。比较实验前后两组的心率变异，并用心理测验量表（SCL－90、SRHMS和PSQI）对其情绪进行评估，同时测定2个月后两组的脑电变化。最后，以脑电指标中的额α指数为因变量，进行回归分析。结果：2个月后，与对照组比较，实验组的脑电α指数及脑电相干函数增高、心率变异中低频／高频比值降低（P＜0．05）、RR间期散点图形状得分升高（P＜0．01），SCL－90总分降低（P＜0．01）。结论：放松训练对大学生精神紧张有一定缓解作用。     

Hypnosis and eye movements.

Eye movements (with closed lids) were studied in a group of highly hypnotizable experimental subjects experienced in self-hypnosis, and compared with a random sample of control subjects that had never been hypnotized and were low in waking suggestibility. Approximately half the experimental subjects rolled their eyes upwards to a greater extent when hypnosis was induced than during eye closure while awake. In some subjects eye flutter occurred during hypnosis, but not in the awake condition. During passive hypnosis the mean rates of rapid eye movements were lower, but those of slow eye movements were higher than during the resting awake condition of the same subjects or the random control subjects. The mean rates of horizontal eye movements during suggestions about begin in a train and watching passing telephone poles were higher for the experimental subjects in the hypnosis and 'imagination' sessions than that of the random control group in the imagination session. A proportion of the experimental subjects made more lateral eye movements during hypnosis than during the imagination session, but an equal proportion did not differ between the two conditions. The mean rates and durations of horizontal eye movements during dreaming about a tennis match were greater during hypnosis ('hypnotic' dream), than during the awake condition a few minutes later ('natural' dream), or the awake condition in the imagination session ('imagination' dream) of the same subjects or random controls. The performance and subjective involvement of the experimental subjects during the Barber suggestibility scale, 'nystagmus' suggestions and 'dreaming' did not differ significantly between the two hypnosis sessions, but in most cases were significantly greater during hypnosis than during the imagination session of the same group or the random control group.     

放松训练对脑电、情绪的影响及与人格特征的关系

目的:探讨放松训练对脑电、情绪的影响以及与受试者人格、行为类型的关系.方法:68名医科大学生集体进行放松训练2个月,比较训练前后的焦虑自评量表(SAS)和匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)得分,评估训练前后脑电、肌电、皮肤温度的变化,以及脑电指标改善程度与受试者个性特征的关系.结果:放松训练后受试者SAS、PSQI得分降低,与训练前相比差异有极显著性意义(t=3.7及5.2,P均<0.01).脑电、肌电、皮肤温度改善,脑电指标改善程度与艾森克个性问卷(EPQ)的N纬度得分、A型行为类型问卷的TH分、总分呈正相关(r=0.25～0.46).结论:放松训练可以改善大学生的生理、心理状况,脑电指标改善程度与受试者的人格特征和行为类型相关.     

Effects of relaxation on the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to the experimental allergen diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) were measured in four groups, which either trained (+) or did not train in relaxation (−) during the sensitization and/or the challenge phase. All groups consisted of high and low hypnotic susceptible subjects. While there were no differences in erythema, the mean induration of the group which trained in relaxation in both the sensitization and the challenge phase (+/+) was significantly greater than that of the group which trained in relaxation in the challenge phase only (−/+). Significant correlations were found between induration and hypnotic susceptibility scores, and between induration and degree of perceived relaxation during challenge. High hypnotic susceptible subjects experienced a higher degree of perceived relaxation and exhibited greater indurative and erythematous DTH reactions to DCP than low hypnotic susceptible subjects in all four experimental conditions. Though the mediating mechanisms remain unclear, our results suggest that relaxation may affect the DTH reaction, and support previous findings of higher psychophysiologic reactivity of high hypnotic susceptible subjects.     

"重返社区技能训练"对精神分裂症康复的作用

目的 :探讨重返社区技能训练对缓解社区精神分裂症患者的精神症状和改善其社会功能方面的作用。方法 :将 5 0例非急性期的社区精神分裂症患者随机分为技能训练组 (以下简称训练组 ;2 5例 )和对照组 (2 5例 ,其中脱落 2例 )。对技能训练组进行技能训练共 4周 ,然后随访 12周。采用阳性症状与阴性症状量表 (PANSS)、MorningSide康复状态量表 (MRSS)对患者进行评估。结果 :训练组患者的PANSS评分(3 9 96± 7 44 )、阴性量表总分 (11 92± 5 13 )、一般精神病理量表总分 (2 0 60± 2 95 )优于对照组 (分别为45 77± 8 95、 15 13± 4 79、 2 3 5 0± 5 3 7,P <0 0 5 ) ;训练组患者的MRSS总分 (3 1 60± 17 3 7)、依赖量表总分 (7 2 8± 5 41)、活动能力缺乏量表总分 (9 0 8± 5 5 2 )均优于对照组 (分别为 44 68± 13 61、 11 77± 5 17、15 0 0± 4 48) ;训练组的复发率 (4 % )低于对照组 (17% ) ,但差异无显著性。结论 :在药物治疗的基础上 ,重返社区技能训练能改善精神分裂症患者的症状及其社会功能     

Meaning of the Repression-Sensitization scale: defensive style or self-report of symptoms of psychopathology

Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that the Repression-Sensitization (R-S) scale assesses self-reported symptoms of psychopathology. In Study 1, 42 subjects were assigned randomly to groups that received differing instructions on the extent to which they should report experiencing distress and reveal personal problems. This manipulation produced highly significant group differences and accounted for most of the variability in R-S scale scores. In Study 2, R-S scale scores and scores of the Health Opinion Survey were correlated in a sample of 100 subjects. The high correlation obtained for these two measures suggests that both measures assess the same dimension, i.e., self-report of symptoms of psychopathology. The results of these studies indicate that the R-S scale is influenced so powerfully by self-report of symptoms of psychopathology that its usefulness in assessing repression-sensitization is questionable.     

The influence of nicotine on performance,mood, and physiological parameters as related to smoking habit,gender, and suggestibility

Based on previous observations that sensory suggestibility might be related to cholinergic drug effects, and that individual susceptibility to nicotine as defined by response differences to various doses is lower in males, nonsmokers, and highly suggestible subjects, the present study investigated whether nicotine serum blood levels, cardiovascular responses, and sensory suggestibility show differences according to gender and smoking habit, and whether differences in nicotine susceptibility measured by a discrimination task by subjective ratings on activation can be reproduced in the direction predicted by the previous data. In a doubleblind threefold cross-over design 48 subjects divided according to smoking habit, gender, and sensory suggestibility were tested in balanced order under the influence of an oral dose of 0, 0.014, or 0.028 mg/kg body weight of nicotine. Results revealed higher serum levels of nicotine in males and smokers, a dose-dependent increase in heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, partly interacting with gender or smoking habit (females and nonsmokers showing larger increase with the low doses), and a change in suggestibility in the expected direction (decrease with the low dose, increase with the large one only in female nonsmokers). A fourfold interaction among dose, smoking habit, gender, and suggestibility for the discrimination task partly reproduced the observations of higher nicotine susceptibility in females and nonsmokers, whereas suggestibility did not seem to reveal the expected changes. Also, on a subjective level larger doses were necessary to make male smokers feel activated, while the other groups showed the biphasic response pattern to the two nicotine doses. In conclusion, the data justify further research on the concept of nicotine susceptibility defined by biphasic effects of nicotine on vigilance. Correspondence to: P. Netter