Sequence effects of relaxation training, EMG, and temperature biofeedback on anxiety, symptom report, and self-concept.
Assessed the effects of particular treatment combinations of relaxation training, temperature, and EMG biofeedback on state-trait anxiety, symptom report, and self-concept. The four groups received one of the following sequences: (a) relaxation training, temperature, and EMG biofeedback; (b) temperature, EMG biofeedback, and relaxation; (c) temperature followed by EMG biofeedback; (d) EMG biofeedback followed by temperature. A sample of 37 volunteers participated in 16 20-minute training sessions over an 11-week period, which totaled 800 appointments. Training was found equally effective for decreasing frontalis EMG and increasing finger skin temperature, regardless of sequence. Most substantial improvement occurred after 8 sessions, whereas little improvement was found after 16 sessions. Each group became increasingly homogeneous over time on all measures.
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012649:Self Concept; D012881:Skin Temperature