Effect of relaxation therapy on post-myocardial infarction patients' rehabilitation.

This research measured the physical and psychosocial effects of the practice of Benson's relaxation technique by male postmyocardial infarction patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program and determined if the patient's behavioral style (Type A or Type B) was related to the outcomes. Twenty-seven subjects completed the experimental condition; 30, the control condition. Outcome measures included blood pressure, heart rate, aerobic conditioning level (MET level), and psychosocial functioning, as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine if relaxation therapy and/or behavior style had an effect on measures of the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation. The practice of relaxation was found to have a significant effect on diastolic blood pressure. Behavior style was unrelated to the outcome measures.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes