Date of Award

4-1982

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. R. Wayne Fuqua

Second Advisor

Dr. Jack Michael

Third Advisor

Dr. Malcolm Robertson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Progressive muscle relaxation was assessed as a method, for controlling "blood pressure under stressful and nonstressful conditions using a multiple Baseline across subjects design* Three borderline hypertensive subjects were trained in two experimental conditions, progressive muscle relaxation under resting conditions (PMR) and progressive muscle relaxation while performing time-limited tasks known to produce temporary increments in blood pressure (PMR + Math). Generalization of training effects to nontraining conditions was assess ed in post-training, task only, sessions and in the home environment. Measures of changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as frontalis EMG were recorded once per minute for each condition. The results suggest that relaxation training under’ stressful conditions is superior to standard relaxation training in lowering blood pressure under stressful conditions.

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