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This review covers 85 articles that concerned the relationship between relaxation and biofeedback as applied to human subjects. A historical overview is provided, along with a brief description of biofeedback, physiological correlates of relaxation, and the most frequently employed methods of achieving relaxation. Reviewed articles are categorized according to whether they dealt primarily with biofeedback or relaxation separately, in combination, or in comparison, and they are further categorized according to research involving either normal subjects or patient populations. It is noted that there exists a serious deterrent to drawing conclusions regarding the effectiveness of these procedures due to a lack of standardization and a paucity of studies in which there was sufficient follow-up information. Given these deficits, it is not surprising to find results of comparison research to be conflicting, and it is stated that few conclusions regarding the relative effectiveness of biofeedback and relaxation may presently be drawn. Methods that tend to be used most frequently and seem to be favored as applied to specific disorders are noted, and directions for future research are outlined.

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