Ocular relaxation to reduce eye movements

Cognitive activities influence the rate and direction of eye movements, but the effect of various levels of eye activity on cognition has not been tested. Jacobson (1938) claimed to have reduced cognitive activity with some eye exercises by decreasing ocular motility. The current study assessed the effects of ocular relaxation eye exercises, adapted from Jacobson, on two subjects with a single-subject withdrawal design. Ocular relaxation brought about a 40% reduction in eye movements but was slightly less efficient at producing physiological and self-reported relaxation than autogenic relaxation. Utility of the procedure in cognition and imagery research and in clinical applications was discussed.