Effect of Progressive Muscle Relaxation using Biofeedback on Perceived Stress, Stress Response, Immune Response and Climacteric Symptoms of Middle-Aged Women

Jeong, Ihn Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training using biofeedback on perceived stress, stress response, immune response and climacteric symptoms. METHOD: This was a crossover, pre-post test design. The study subjects are 36 middle-aged women who were selected at 2 public health centers. The independent variable was Biofeedback training for 4 weeks, twice a week and home training for 4 weeks. Dependent variables were perceived stress, stress response, immune response, and climacteric symptoms measured with Hildtch's scale (1996). RESULT: Progressive muscle relaxation training using biofeedback was not effective in reducing perceived stress, but it was shown to be effective in reducing physiological stress responses such as pulse rate and EMG. Though blood pressure and skin conductance were repeatedly down, and skin temperature slowly increased, there were no statistically significant differences. Progressive muscle relaxation training using biofeedback was not effective in reducing serum cortisol, enhancing immune responses, or decreasing climacteric symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings point to a pressing need for further, well-controlled and designed research with consideration in selection of subjects and instruments, frequency of measurements, the sampling method, and intervention modalities.