Comparison of the effect of Physical stressor and Mental stressor in evaluation of the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the cardiovascular autonomic functions in offsprings of hypertensives

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Original Article

Author Details : K. Ganesh, H. Sivaprasad

Volume : 3, Issue : 4, Year : 2016

Article Page : 445-448

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Abstract

Background and Objective: Progressive muscle relaxation is one of the techniques found to be effective in reducing the hyperacivity of the sympathetic nervous system in susceptible individuals. Many studies have used physical and mental stressors to evaluate the effect of relaxation techniques leading to different results. Hence the present study compared the effect of two laboratory stressors in the evaluation of effect of relaxation techniques.
Materials and Methods: The study involved normotensive offspring of hypertensives who were participants of relaxation training programme at Bengaluru. They were divided into group A and group B with 20 subjects in each group by randomization. There were two recording sessions for each subject in each group. During the first recording session HR, HRV and BP responses to mental stress (serial subtraction math) were measured in all the subjects in group A, whereas in group B, HR, HRV and BP responses to physical stress (isometric handgrip test) were measured. Then both the groups underwent twelve weeks of relaxation training under the guidance of experts. At the end of twelve weeks, second recording session was held and the same parameters were reassessed in all the subjects with respective stressors.
Results: In group A, relaxation training has caused significant decline in heart rate reactivity, reactivity values of total power, LF power, reactivity as well as recovery of diastolic pressure. No significant change was seen in LFnu, HF, HFnu, LF/HF and systolic blood pressure. In group B, no significant change was observed in any of the measured parameters.
Conclusion: Hence the study concludes that mental stressor is the suitable tool for assessing the effect of relaxation techniques on the cardiovascular autonomic activity.

Keywords: Mental stressor, Physical stressor, Progressive muscle relaxation, Heart rate, Heart rate variability, Blood pressure, Reactivity, Recovery

How to cite : Ganesh K, Sivaprasad H, Comparison of the effect of Physical stressor and Mental stressor in evaluation of the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on the cardiovascular autonomic functions in offsprings of hypertensives. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2016;3(4):445-448

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