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Relaxation can have beneficial effects on immune function from groups
of young men to geriatric patients-medical students who practiced
hypnotic relaxation techniques before stressful exams had a higher
proportion of natural killer cell activity and lymphocyte activity,
together with improved immune efficiency and psychological well
being.'
Kiecolt-Glaser Ohio State University
Regular deep relaxation can significantly reduce the risk of heart
disease and keep dormant infections (like herpes) at bay.
(Paul Martin-The Sickening Mind, 1997)
MCGRADY, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo
USA writes that dysregulation in blood pressure control can occur
as a result of psychological stress in either the hypertensive or
hypotensive direction. Psychophysiological techniques using biofeedback
and relaxation have been shown to be effective in controlled studies
of hypertensive patients.
McGrady A. Good news - bad press: applied psychophysiology in cardiovascular
disorders. Biofeedback Self Regul 21(4): 335-46. Dec 1996
MOSER and colleagues, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA write
that advanced heart failure involves the activation of the sympathetic
nervous and intense vasoconstriction. Conditions with similar physiological
features have been treated successfully with biofeedback-relaxation
techniques. The authors set out to discover if conscious control
of skin temperature using biofeedback-relaxation could cause vasodilation
and change haemodynamic status and circulating catecholamines in
patients suffering with heart failure.
METHODS: 45 patients with advanced heart failure were randomly assigned
to either a treatment or a control group. The treatment group had
one session of skin-temperature biofeedback augmented by imagery
of hand warmth and modified progressive muscle relaxation. Skin
temperature, systemic vascular resistance, cardiac output, plasma
norepinephrine and epinephrine, oxygen consumption, respiratory
rate and pulmonary wedge pressure were measured prior to and following
the biofeedback session. The same measurements were carried out
in the controls, except that they were not given instruction in
biofeedback-relaxation.
RESULTS: At baseline, treatment and control groups had similar clinical
profiles. Compared to the control group who showed no changes in
any of the following parameters, patients in the treatment group
showed the following changes: 1) increase in skin temperature in
the finger and foot; 2) increased cardiac output; 3) decreased systemic
vascular resistance; 4) decreased respiratory rate. The treatment
group did not show any changes in catecholamine levels or oxygen
consumption.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite marked vasoconstriction in advanced heart failure
patients, a single biofeedback-relaxation session can produce an
increase in finger temperature and cardiac output and a decrease
in systemic vascular resistance and respiratory rate, apparently
without affecting systemic levels of catecholamines or oxygen consumption.
Moser DK et al. Voluntary control of vascular tone by using skin-temperature
biofeedback-relaxation in patients with advanced heart failure.
Altern Ther Health Med 3(1): 51-9. Jan 1997.
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