Relaxation training combined with increased physical activity lowers the psychophysiological activation in community-home boys.

Resting electrical activity (EMG) in the frontalis, temporalis, trapezius and erector trunci muscles, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), were measured in boys in a community home, and in controls of the same age in an ordinary school. EMG in the community-home boys was significantly higher than in controls, whereas BP did not yield any difference. The community-home boys participated in a programme consisting of relaxation training and increased physical activity for 4 months. After this intervention, EMG in all muscle groups was decreased, and the level of EMG was also lower than the values measured in controls. Systolic and diastolic BP in the community-home boys was also lowered, but the decrease was not significant as compared to the control group. In conclusion, relaxation training and/or increased physical activity is effective in decreasing the elevated activation observed in community-home boys.