title: The effect of a relaxation technique on coronary risk factors.
abstract: This study examined the effect of a relaxation technique on plasma lipids, weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Sixteen outpatient males were randomly assigned to control or experimental groups. The experimental group was taught a relaxation technique that they used throughout the study. The control group was started in a reading program. Subjects were followed by a nurse practitioner and dietitian for eight weeks. Results revealed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure and a marginally significant reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the experimental group. Both control and experimental groups self-reported high compliance with diet and adherence to prescribed intervention. State anxiety was found to be inversely related to changes in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Administration Medical Center, Manchester, New Hampshire.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hathaway
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tuohey
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol