The relaxation response: reducing stress and improving cognition in healthy aging adults.

Full Abstract

Aging adults are vulnerable to the effects of a negative emotional state. The relaxation response (RR) is a mind-body intervention that counteracts the harmful effects of stress. Previous studies with relaxation techniques have shown the non-pharmacological benefit of reducing stress and improving the memory of healthy older adults. Our pilot study evaluated whether a RR training program would decrease anxiety levels, improve attention, declarative memory performance and/or decrease salivary cortisol levels in healthy older adults. Fifteen adults participated and were randomly assigned to a RR training or control groups. Mean age was 71.3 years and mean education level was 17.9 years. Reaction time on a simple attention/psychomotor task was significantly improved (p<0.0025) with RR training, whereas there was no significant improvement on complex tasks of attention, verbal, or visual declarative memory tests. Self-reported state anxiety levels showed a marginally significant reduction (p<0.066). All subjects' salivary cortisol levels were within low-normal range and did not significantly change. Our 5-week program in highly educated, mobile, healthy, aging adults significantly improved performance on a simple attention task.

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Author information

Author/s: Galvin, Jennifer A (JA); Benson, Herbert (H); Deckro, Gloria R (GR); Fricchione, Gregory L (GL); Dusek, Jeffery A (JA);

Affiliation: Mind/Body Medical Institute and Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Complementary therapies in clinical practice (Complement Ther Clin Pract), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 12 (issue 3) : pp 186-91

Dates: Created 2006/07/12; Completed 2006/09/27; Revised 2006/10/13;

PMID: 16835029, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety - metabolism
Attention - physiology
Cognition - physiology
Female
Health Status
Humans
Hydrocortisone - secretion

Male
Mental Recall
Mind-Body Relations (Metaphysics)
Pilot Projects
Reaction Time
Reference Values
Relaxation - physiology
Saliva - metabolism
Stress, Psychological - metabolism; prevention & control

Associated Chemicals: Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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