Stress management techniques: Are they all equivalent, or do they have specific effects?

Abstract

This article evaluates the hypothesis that various stress management techniques have specific effects. Studies comparing various techniques are reviewed, as well as previous literature reviews evaluating the effects of individual techniques. There is evidence that cognitively oriented methods have specific cognitive effects, that specific autonomic effects result from autonomically oriented methods, and that specific muscular effects are produced by muscularly oriented methods. Muscle relaxation and/or EMG biofeedback have greater muscular effects and smaller autonomic effects than finger temperature biofeedback and/or autogenic training. EMG biofeedback produces greater effects on particular muscular groups than progressive relaxation, and thermal biofeedback has greater finger temperature effects than autogenic training. Disorders with a predominant muscular component (e.g., tension headaches) are treated more effectively by muscularly oriented methods, while disorders in which autonomic dysfunction predominates (e.g., hypertension, migraine headaches) are more effectively treated by techniques with a strong autonomic component. Anxiety and phobias tend to be most effectively treated by methods with both strong cognitive and behavioral components.

Implementation of a stress management program in outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

“…28,29 Regarding secondary outcomes, relief of physical symptoms can selectively be attributed to the nature of the technique, which is more muscle-oriented and includes no cognitive or behavioral elements. 30 Furthermore, in agreement with other studies, female gender 31,32 and low socioeconomic status 33 were associated with higher PSS levels at the beginning of the intervention. Finally, the initially blunt cortisol profile in the intervention group is consistent with the findings of Bruehl et al 34 However, this condition did not last till the end of the intervention and changes in mean cortisol were not statistically significant.…”

Stress Management and the Motives of Restorative Events at the United States Coast Guard Academy

“…ART provides support for traditional stress management tactics that are cognitively oriented, such as journaling, meditation, or mental imagery (Antai-Otong, 2001;Lehrer, Carr, Sargunaraj, & Woolfolk, 1994). Journaling (the process of reflecting on the day's activities through writing), meditation (the ability to clear ones mind fully and look beyond the stressor), and mental imagery (the mental visualization of being an a favorable environment or situation) allow opportunities for an experience psychologically away from a current location (or thoughts) and for self-exploration in a fascinating or autonomous, safe environment.…”

EEG Spectral Analysis of Relaxation Techniques

“…Although the acute peripheral nervous system effects of RT have been systematically investigated (Lehrer, Carr, Sargunaraj, & Woolfolk, 1994), there is an implicit assumption that any relaxation-mediated change in systemic physiology is secondary to alterations within the central nervous system (CNS). Unfortunately, comparatively little empirical research has addressed the acute CNS effects of RT.…”