The affect of progressive muscle relaxation on visual reaction times of stressed BCOM students
Item
- Title
- The affect of progressive muscle relaxation on visual reaction times of stressed BCOM students
- Author(s)
- Walton, Andrea
- Abstract
- BackgroundProgressive muscle relaxation (PMR) has been used in studies as a proposed treatment modality in: Osteoarthritis and Juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome. Reductions in stress and anxiety can be produced by using PMR. Visual reaction time (VRT) has been researched extensively; there are many theories which postulate how VRT can change along with what affects it. State of arousal and the menstrual cycle in females are thought to affect VRT. AimsPMR has been researched extensively. However, there is limited research into the affects of PMR on VRT in stressed students. This study proposes to create a basis of knowledge into whether PMR relaxes stressed students and if this subsequently affects VRT. The study aims to create an interest into this area, opening the field for further research to be conducted. MethodSeven healthy participants, aged between 18-44 years (mean= 27 SD=8 years) of both genders (male=8; female=6), were recruited from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine. There were four groups: Group 1(stress & PMR), Group 2 (no stress & PMR), Group 3 (stress & no intervention) and Group 4 (no stress & no intervention). Groups 3 and 4 both being the control groups. Stress levels were measured on a stress visual analogue scale (SVAS) and VRT were measured using the meter stick simple reaction time test before and after intervention. ResultsThere was no statistical significance (P>0.05) between groups before interventions for both VRT and SVAS scores. There was a statistical significance (P<0.05) between pre and post VRT scores for PMR but not for the control group. There was a statistical significant (P<0.05) difference between pre and post SVAS scores regardless of group. ConclusionPMR decreased VRT and stress levels in stressed and non-stressed students. Having decreased the VRT the subject would have been able to react to stimuli quicker than those who were in the control group.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 2013
- Date Submitted
- 14.11.2018 11:42:03
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Number of pages
- 24
- Submitted by:
- 4457
- Pub-Identifier
- 16319
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 1
- Item sets
- Thesis
Walton, Andrea, “The affect of progressive muscle relaxation on visual reaction times of stressed BCOM students”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.org/s/orw/item/2030