Relaxation Training for Chronic Pain Patients Using Emg Feedback: An Analysis of Process and Outcome Effects

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the role of EMG-based relaxation training for a diverse group of chronic pain patients by examining in detail both process and outcome changes. Eighteen pain clinic patients were each given 10 sessions of relaxation training using frontalis feedback. The results of the study do not support the use of relaxation training as a standard procedure for chronic pain patients. Psychophysiological assessment carried out before and after training indicated some reduction in EMG levels, with less change in GSR and HR activity. No significant alteration occurred in mean pain and medication measures after training, although there was a trend for sedative/hypnotic usage to be smaller. Most important, individual differences in outcome were not consistently related to process variables monitored during training. This lack of association supports the view that physiological change is not necessary for clinical benefit after relaxation training.

Control Conditions in Hypnotic-analgesia Clinical Trials:Challenges and Recommendations

“…Arena, Blanchard, Andrasik, Appelbaum, & Meyers, 1985;Holroyd et al, 1984;Nouwen & Solinger, 1979). Moreover, the effects of EMG biofeedback appear to be minimal when the treatment is limited to feedback alone without any suggestions for relaxation and comfort (Nouwen & Solinger;Sarnoch, Adler, & Scholz, 1997;Spence, 1984;Spence, Sharpe, Newton-John, & Champion, 1995;Stuckey, Jacobs, & Goldfarb, 1986). Based on these considerations, we have hypothesized that a biofeedback condition, modified to eliminate any analgesia-promoting suggestions, will have minimal effects on pain.…”

Relaxation Therapy in the Acute General Hospital Setting

“…Relaxation was taught to help patients to manage with pain (Spence, 1984). Relaxation was taught to help patients to manage with pain (Spence, 1984).…”

“…The use of relaxation training methods for patients with chronic headache has been frequently advocated in the literature (Ed, 1980;Jacobsen, 1938;Lewis, 1981;Warner and Lance, 1975). The usefulness of these methods has been well documented (Hutchings and Reinking, 1976;Spence, 1984).…”

“…Relaxation training is a frequent component of treatment used with chronic pain patients (Belar and Cohen, 1976; Gottlieb and Alperson, 1982;Strong, 1984;Taylor, Zlutnick, Corley and Flora, 1980;Zhuo, Dighe and Basmajian, 1983). Most of the studies on pain clinic outcomes report on the effectiveness of a multiple-treatment programme (Spence, 1984). As such, it becomes difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the various concurrent treatments (Spence, 1984).…”

“…Most of the studies on pain clinic outcomes report on the effectiveness of a multiple-treatment programme (Spence, 1984). As such, it becomes difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the various concurrent treatments (Spence, 1984).…”