title: Stress management training for the handicapped.
abstract: Stress Management Training (SMT) is described for teaching handicapped patients the use of relaxation as a coping skill. The procedure combines progressive muscle relaxation and clinical meditation into a standardized but flexible 8-session protocol. The training consists of 3 components: First, the patient is given a cognitive understanding of stress and relaxation. Second, the patient is taught to relax by controlling muscle tension and sympathetic activation. Third, the patient adapts the relaxation skill to real-life stress situations. Case reports demonstrating the process are included. Methods of assessing outcome and adaptations for particular handicaps are described.
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods