Relaxation Response Paper

Resting heart contractions were recorded for thirty seconds until the heart rate was less than 60 beats per minute. A stimulator electrode to be used was set to the following states: Amplitude of 4.00 Volts, a stimulus delay of 50ms, stimulus duration of 10ms, a frequency of 1.0Hz, and a pulse number of 30. The electrode was then placed in direct contact with the heart for 30 seconds at which time the data was observed and recorded.

Exercise increases heart rate by a process of sympathetic autonomic stimulation. Sympathetic (adrenergic) nerves increase the excitability of the sino-atrial node and reduce the P-R interval .As exercise continues, the physiological changes in the body are continuously monitored by a number of physiological systems and the balance of activity of the sympathetic system (speeding up) and the parasympathetic system (slowing down) is constantly adjusted. When exercise is over, the heart rate does not drop immediately as the body has to undergo a period of re adaption to return to the resting state.

The authors then share their analysis on the changes of heart rate and GSR at the many different points throughout their study.

8) The treatment was compared and the effect of each treatment on the heart rate was explained.

Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder often includes a lifestyle change and patients often resort to home remedies. The use of books, yoga, relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation), and autogenic training may help relieve symptoms and promote a healthier way of living; physically and mentally. Studies have not been done on these strategies for there effectiveness but may have personal lifestyle improvements which aid in depleting anxiety. Some lifestyle changes such as daily exercising may have a physical and psychological benefit. Since anxiety is often accompanied by shallow breathing, exercising and deep breathing exercises such as in yoga may be beneficial to treatment. Therapists often use progressive relaxation techniques (tensing and relaxing of muscles one body part at a time) and relaxing visualization (meditation) which can be done at home on a regular basis and used when a patient finds themselves in a difficult situation which may increase anxiety (Goldburg, 2017). Anxiety may be triggered or relieved depending on who the patient is surrounded by. Another method of self-help would be to find a support system, or engage in social interactions with people who care about the patient; family, friends or significant other. When anxiety peaks and the patient begins spiraling, being able to talk to someone may bring relief. On the

76) pointed out that music therapy has proven to decrease anxiety and pain score, reduce heart rate and blood pressure in the intensive care unit but also, Danielsson, Scherman, & Rosberg (2013, p. 608) offered that physical therapist use an individualized relaxation exercises to understand and discern between different bodily responses and to disseminate expression of anxiety, inciting fear to be less terrifying.

Ensuring that the patient was relaxed and comfortable I began to take her pulse, using my three middle finger tips to locate the pulse. I did so for 15 second and timed by fore for the next 15 seconds I measured her respiration rate and timed by 4. I did not explain to my patient that I was taking her respirations as looking at her chest may have made her feel uncomfortable and increase her respirations. Her pulse rate ending up being 85 beats per minute and respirations were 15 breaths per minute. These results were within normal range, as her pulse rate was between 80 and 120 bpm and respirations were between 12 and 20 (Tollefson, 2010). The change in pulse and respiration rate can increase during excercise. If a pulse is recorded below 50 bpm the patient can be at risk of a heart attach. A fast pulse exceeding 100 bpm can be a sign of infection or dehydration. This can be detected quickly and appropriate action taken to prevent negative affects on the patient’s well being.

One of the most effective competing responses is progressive relaxation, or skeletal muscle relaxation. Progressive relaxation is generally a guided process of focusing on specific muscle groups and relaxing them one group at a time until one’s whole body is relaxed. Progressive relaxation can be done alone or with the guidance of a therapist. There are two types of progressive relaxation that are used in exposure therapy: tension and relaxation, and relaxation only. Both the tension and relaxation as well as the relaxation only method are carried out by taking deep breaths and focusing on one muscle group, of the 16 groups, at a time. The only distinction between the two types is that

The effects of exercise on blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and electrical activity of the heart were assessed. The measurements of respiration rate, pulse rate and blood pressures were noted as described in Harris-Haller (2016). Data was first taken from subjects in a relaxed position and then followed by sets of reading after exercising based on one minute intervals. The data also noted sitting ECG traces from Harris-Haller (2016). The respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, P wave, QRS complex and T wave were defined for each subject. The class average was calculated for males and females and graphed to illustrate the results by gender for each cardiopulmonary factor.

Another study by Jones and Colleagues (2016) concluded in their studies that the 12 weeks of 90 minutes yoga practice done by postmenopausal women increased the heart rate variability. Since women during the phase of menopause have increased heart rate, by performing yoga, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) dominance caused an increase in the heart rate variability. The second half of the group performed regular 90-minutes exercise and it was found to be unbeneficial.

As the intensity of exercise increased, so did the rates of the heart and breathing. After a small period of rest, the heart rate and breathing rate both decreased to a point close to their resting rate. This proved the stated hypothesis. First, the hearts average resting rate was recorded to be 76 bpm. The heart is therefore transporting oxygen and removing carbon dioxide at a reasonably steady rate via the blood. During the low intensity exercise (Slow 20) the heart rate increases to 107 bpm, which further increases to 130bpm at a higher intensity level (Fast 20). The heart therefore needs to beat faster to increase the speed at which oxygen is carried to the cells and the rate at which carbon dioxide is taken away by the blood.

To start off the experiment, a baseline was needed in order to be able to compare the different variables through out the experiment. The subject was instructed to sit and relax quietly while the blood pressure cuff and pulse plethysmograph were placed properly. After the blood pressure was taken and analyzed, it was found that the subject’s blood pressure was 122/64 mm Hg and a pulse rate of 60 bpm. Now that the baseline was obtained, continuing with the changing variables could take place. Starting with the variable of postural changes, the subject first reclined for three minutes. After the two minutes, the

Relaxation has never been easy, but it has been proven to occur when one’s mental processes and muscles have been relaxed. It is a very safe method and can be practiced through many different techniques. It has remained side by side to help with areas of therapy and has been very beneficial to countless of people worldwide.

We decided to measure the subject’s pulse and respiratory rates whilst sitting down because there would be no additional stress on their heart, which would increase their heart rate. Their heart rate should also return to its resting heart rate due to the decrease of muscle use.

The heart rate is a measurement of how many times the heart beats in a minute. Physically fit people tend to have a lower heart rate and during intense exercise tend to have lower rates as well. A decrease of heart rate at both rest and at fixed intensity of sub-maximal exercise [7] occurs a few months after an exercise program is begun. One’s heart rate reflects the amount of work the heart must do to meet an increase of demands of the body when engaged in activity. Heart Rate tends to increase proportionally with intensity oxygen uptake [16].