A Contemporary View of Applied Relaxation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Hayes‐Skelton, Sarah A.; Roemer, Lizabeth; Orsillo, Susan M.; Borkovec, Thomas D.

doi:10.1080/16506073.2013.777106

Cited by 51 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Furthermore, a broader approach such as sleep hygiene, social support, and facilitation from employer or organizer might be needed to reduce their stress when medical health workers were in their leisure time (Theorell, 2020). Moreover, Ost's applied relaxation, although not our relaxation methods in the study, might be a strategy to rapidly relax in an increasingly stressful situation (Hayes-Skelton, Roemer, Orsillo, & Borkovec, 2013;Ost, 1987;1988).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemic: study on simple, easy, and practical relaxation techniques while wearing medical protective equipment

Zhang

Zhu

et al. 2020

Psychol. Med.

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Background No studies have reported on how to relieve distress or relax in medical health workers while wearing medical protective equipment in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to establish which relaxation technique, among six, is the most feasible in first-line medical health workers wearing medical protective equipment. Methods This was a two-step study collecting data with online surveys. Step 1: 15 first-line medical health workers were trained to use six different relaxation techniques and reported the two most feasible techniques while wearing medical protective equipment. Step 2: the most two feasible relaxation techniques revealed by step 1 were quantitatively tested in a sample of 65 medical health workers in terms of efficacy, no space limitation, no time limitation, no body position requirement, no environment limitation to be done, easiness to learn, simplicity, convenience, practicality, and acceptance. Results Kegel exercise and autogenic relaxation were the most feasible techniques according to step 1. In step 2, Kegel exercise outperformed autogenic relaxation on all the 10 dimensions among the 65 participants while wearing medical protective equipment (efficacy: 24 v. 15, no space limitation: 30 v. 4, no time limitation: 31 v. 4, no body position requirement: 26 v. 4, no environment limitation: 30 v. 11, easiness to learn: 28 v. 5, simplicity: 29 v. 7, convenience: 29 v. 4, practicality: 30 v. 14, acceptance: 32 v. 6). Conclusion Kegel exercise seems a promising self-relaxation technique for first-line medical health workers while wearing medical protective equipment among COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemic: study on simple, easy, and practical relaxation techniques while wearing medical protective equipment

Zhang

Zhu

et al. 2020

Psychol. Med.

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“…Applied relaxation has shown to be effective in reducing stress symptoms and ameliorate anxiety symptoms in patients with General anxiety disorder to a degree on par with that of CBT (Öst & Breitholtz, 2000). It is also effective in reducing symptoms in other anxiety disorders such as Panic disorder and Social phobia (Hayes-Skelton et al, 2013). One of the major benefits of applied relaxation is that it can be provided in a relatively condensed self-help format and has shown to be effective when delivered via the internet (Carlbring et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

The effects of therapist support and treatment presentation on the clinical outcomes of an Internet based applied relaxation program

Alfonsson

Olsson

Hursti

2015

Internet Interventions

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Symptoms of stress are common in the general population and associated with health risks and economic costs. Applied relaxation training has shown to be effective for reducing stress and worry both as a self-help treatment and as an internet-based intervention with therapist support. However, what factors may affect the outcome of internet based relaxation training is unclear. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of a brief internet based relaxation program for people with symptoms of stress or worry and to assess whether enhancing the quality of intervention presentation or therapist support had an impact on outcomes. Participants were randomized in a full factorial design to either Normal or Enhanced treatment Presentation and either Normal or Enhanced therapist Support in a four-week online program with applied relaxation. The main outcome measures were self-report instruments of stress and worry. A total of 162 participants were included in the study and 94 and 84 participants completed the post and followup measurements respectively. Participants in all conditions improved significantly on the main outcome measures, and the different levels of Presentation or therapist Support did not significantly affect treatment outcome. Registered number of completed exercises was a predictor of better treatment outcome, but this effect was independent of treatment condition. Enhancing internet based interventions by improving presentations and the quality of support may thus not be the best way to further improve the effect of internet based interventions. More specific knowledge of the mechanisms that affect outcomes in online psychotherapy is needed.

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“…psychopharmacological drugs, might present even higher effects than those achieved with (C)BTs (Bandelow & Michaelis, 2015; Bandelow et al 2015). Relaxation training has also been used to treat anxiety with some degree of success (Hayes-Skelton et al 2013). Relaxation training includes methods such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), which emphasizes reducing muscle tension and achieving relaxed states (Bernstein & Borkovec, 1973), and applied relaxation (AR), which focuses on making relaxation as a skill to be used in natural settings (Öst, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is cognitive–behavioural therapy more effective than relaxation therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders? A meta-analysis

et al. 2017

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A Contemporary View of Applied Relaxation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Cited by 51 publications

References 44 publications

COVID-19 pandemic: study on simple, easy, and practical relaxation techniques while wearing medical protective equipment

COVID-19 pandemic: study on simple, easy, and practical relaxation techniques while wearing medical protective equipment

The effects of therapist support and treatment presentation on the clinical outcomes of an Internet based applied relaxation program

Is cognitive–behavioural therapy more effective than relaxation therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders? A meta-analysis

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