A study was conducted to determine the relationship between three different
methods of relaxation (listening to music, progressive muscle relaxation
(PMR), and a combination of music listening and PMR) and state anxiety
reduction (as indicated by a feeling of reduced tension for the participant,
measured on a self-rating scale). The study also examined the relationship
between specific variables (age, sex, music training, music preferences,
familiarity with music, degree of liking for music, knowledge of, and
experience in, PMR, and learning style) and response to a relaxation method.
The study involved forty male and female volunteers, ranging in age from 18 -
60 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental
groups or a control group. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were
used in the analysis of results. Results indicated that for the participants in
this study, all methods were associated with a decrease in state anxiety, the
combined methods being no more effective in achieving reduced tension
levels than the independent methods. However, a significant difference was
achieved between the PMR group and the control group, with the mean
decrease in tension level for the PMR group higher on average than that of
the control group. There was also no significant difference observed
between the relaxation sessions and the controlled opportunity for social
interaction, attended by all participants. Further, case studies indicated that
response to relaxation methods is a highly individual one.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218847 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Connor, Pamela K., n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Professional & Community Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Pamela K. Connor |
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