Expectancy effects on relaxation instructions: physiological and self-report indices.
Two sessions of relaxation instructions were administered under high and low expectancy conditions. Fifty-four college students scoring high on a self-report measure of anxiety served as subjects. Live and taped abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation instructions and a self-relaxation condition were equally effective in reducing within-session self-report and physiological indices of anxiety. High expectancy instructions led to greater reductions in heart rate than did low expectancy instructions. Factors controlling anxiety reduction during relaxation therapies are discussed.
D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012064:Relaxation Therapy