There is a paucity of research on the effects of passive relaxation training on the anxiety of patients going through physical rehabilitation. The fourteen participants of this study were Caucasian and between the ages of 45 and 82 years of age. Participants reported levels of anxiety through the use of a self-report instrument called the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Measurements were made at four different time periods; on intake, prior to relaxation training, following relaxation training, and at discharge. A two-way Analysis of variance was implemented with time and gender being the independent variables. The results of the study revealed no statistically significant differences. Qualitative reports of the participants feedback and Post-hoc analysis of the data for Pearson's r and Pairwise Comparisons indicate further research is needed to fully determine the effects of passive relaxation training on participant's anxiety. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The Department of Rehabilitative Services of the Commonwealth of Virginia is charged with the responsibility of assisting eligible citizens (clients) with physical and/or psychological handicaps to enter, return to, or remain in gainful employment. To accomplish this goal, it is often necessary to have the client undergo training in Job Search Skills (JSS). Part of this training includes helping clients to develop better job interviewing skills. Empirical evidence gathered in recent years indicates, however, that anxiety associated with job interviewing is a major problem for many clients. This study was designed to field test a relaxation training technique to help vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients reduce their job interview anxiety. The subjects were 60 adult VR clients (46 males and 14 females) participating in a five-day JSS training program. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: The experimental group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). On the first day of the program, all subjects were administered the Trait Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Experimental subjects received relaxation training and practiced self-relaxation during the five-day program. Control subjects received a placebo training exercise. On the fifth day of the program, all subjects completed the STAI State Anxiety Scale and had their blood pressure taken immediately prior to participating as the interviewee in an audio-videotaped simulation of a job interview. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, chi-square analysis, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis procedures. Results showed that the experimental group had significantly (p .01) lower state anxiety scores than the control group. In addition, the groups were found to differ significantly on trait anxiety, years of education, age, and body weight. The interaction effects of these variables were discussed. It was concluded that relaxation training had a significant effect in helping rehabilitation clients to reduce their job interview anxiety. The implications of the findings for JSS training programs were discussed. / Ed. D.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an imagery/relaxation program on athletes with a surgical knee injury. More specifically the study examined changes in state and trait anxiety, locus of control, and attitude/opinion as a result of the imagery/relaxation program. A qualitative design was used to allow for an in-depth examination into each participant's behavior. Since a qualitative design was utilized, the procedures were slightly different for each participant.The following is a general outline for the procedures used. One week prior to surgery the participant was taught progressive relaxation. One week post-surgery the participant was administered the STAI, LCRS, and ERAIQ. The participant was also given a different imagery/relaxation script each week to rehearse beginning one week post-surgery to 11 weeks post-surgery. The participant also completed journal worksheets weekly. At each session the researcher asked interview questions. Twelve weeks post-surgery the participant was given the STAI, LCRS, ERAIQ, and exit questionnaire. Due to the lack of adherence to the program there were no conclusive results. / School of Physical Education

The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a stress-inoculation treatment and an equally credible attention-placebo control in alleviating self-reported test anxiety and in facilitating intellectual performance in nontraditional (aged 50 and over) college students. Many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral approaches in the treatment of test anxiety among young college students. The literature suggests that persons returning to school after a long absence who have subsequently enrolled as college students experience greater test anxiety and decrements in test performance in evaluative situations than their younger counterparts.