Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify physiologically and psychologically the relaxation response on the learning process of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in community patients. The response was evaluated by heart rate variability, shortened version of Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ). 6 community patients practiced PMR with twice a day for two weeks.
As a result, there was a increase of vagus nerve activity, calculated by the spectrum analysis of heart rate variability. The activity was more increased after one week and two weeks than the beginning of the PMR practice. The scores of the shortened version of POMS were increased positively showing the existence of larger relaxation response. In the SEQ, the scores mounted up through the learning process of PMR showing the sleep improvement effect of PMR.
