1. relaxation research meta-analysis
29 prospective randomised controlled trials of PMR published between 1981 and 1992
1,206 subjects; males=females; average age 18 to 74 years
chronic headache & migraine (8 studies); cancer chemotherapy (6 studies); essential hypertension (5 studies); other disorders - stress, depression, dysmenorrhea, low back & neck pain, menopausal flushes, immunity
Carlson CR et al Efficacy of abbreviated PMR training: a quantitative review of behavioral medicine research J Consult Clin Psychol 1993;61:

2. relaxation meta-analysis results
“overall the results of this
review present an
encouraging picture ...
(such) methods have a
strong record of efficacy
and should be viewed as
an experimentally sound
treatment intervention …
a broad-spectrum tool for
treating clinical disorders
related to overactivation”
number of sessions: it seems that about 12 sessions over 12 weeks is necessary for optimal results
audiotapes: studies that provided practice tapes obtained stronger effects than those that did not
maintenance of improvement: benefits tended to increase between conclusion & follow-up