BACKGROUND: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent, disabling, and often chronic disorder. With a typical recovery rate of only about 40% with current psychological treatments a better understanding of potential psychophysiological mechanisms is vital. METHODS: Since the most discriminative somatic symptom of GAD compared to other anxiety disorders is muscle tension this review qualitatively examines the literature on muscle tension as it relates to GAD and muscle relaxation therapy for GAD patients. RESULTS: Muscle tension in GAD is poorly understood. Experimental studies refute the often-assumed direct relationship between anxiety and muscle tension. However, muscle relaxation therapies have been as effective as cognitive interventions directly addressing the defining symptom worry. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle tension in its objective and subjective representations may play a role in GAD through various pathways that are testable. Future research needs to better examine the different aspects and functions of muscle tension in GAD.
BACKGROUND:Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent, disabling, and often chronic disorder. With a typical recovery rate of only about 40% with current psychological treatments a better understanding of potential psychophysiological mechanisms is vital. METHODS: Since the most discriminative somatic symptom of GAD compared to other anxiety disorders is muscle tension this review qualitatively examines the literature on muscle tension as it relates to GAD and muscle relaxation therapy for GAD patients. RESULTS: Muscle tension in GAD is poorly understood. Experimental studies refute the often-assumed direct relationship between anxiety and muscle tension. However, muscle relaxation therapies have been as effective as cognitive interventions directly addressing the defining symptom worry. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle tension in its objective and subjective representations may play a role in GAD through various pathways that are testable. Future research needs to better examine the different aspects and functions of muscle tension in GAD.
Authors: Jessica S Calleo; Mark E Kunik; Dana Reid; Cynthia Kraus-Schuman; Amber Paukert; Tziona Regev; Nancy Wilson; Nancy J Petersen; A Lynn Snow; Melinda Stanley Journal: Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen Date: 2011-11-07 Impact factor: 2.035
Authors: Marco Gervasi; Davide Sisti; Piero Benelli; Eneko Fernández-Peña; Cinzia Calcabrini; Marco B L Rocchi; Luigi Lanata; Michela Bagnasco; Andrea Tonti; Stocchi Vilberto; Piero Sestili Journal: Medicine (Baltimore) Date: 2017-07 Impact factor: 1.889