To determine whether decreased sympathetic-nervous-system activity achieved by the relaxation response could decrease premature ventricular contractions (P.V.C.S), eleven ambulatory patients with proven, stable ischæmic heart-disease and P.V.C.s were investigated. The patients, who were taking no medication for the P.V.C.S, were trained to elicit regularly the relaxation response through a non-cultic psychological technique. The frequency of the P.V.C.s was measured by computer analysis of Holter monitor tapes for 2 complete days before learning the technique, which was learned in approximately 5 minutes after the second day. Patients were instructed to evoke the response for 20 minutes twice daily thereafter. After 4 weeks, a reduced frequency of P.V.C.s was documented in eight of the eleven patients. This effect was especially striking during the sleeping hours and less so during the entire monitoring session. The relaxation response is a simple, no cost, non-pharmacological mechanism without side-effects which seemed to decrease the frequency of P.V.C.s in most patients with ischæmic heart-disease.
Decreased Premature Ventricular Contractions Through Use of the Relaxation Response in Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart-Disease
Publication
The Lancet
306(7931), p. 380-382
Abstract
Web and Email Links
Related Listings
Journal
Journal of Human Stress / Behavioral Medicine
A previous investigation has demonstrated that the practice of a meditational technique elicits a wakeful, hypometabolic state. Measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination was made by sampling techniques; mean values of these parameters were calculated from 6–10 minute samples. The present study extends this investigation, using a recently developed method of continuous measurement of O2 consumption and CO2 elimination. Continuous measurement of these parameters permitted the de […]
Journal
Fertility and Sterility
There is increasing evidence that a behavioral treatment approach might be efficacious in the treatment of the emotional aspects of infertility and may lead to increased conception rates. The first 54 women to complete a behavioral treatment program based on the elicitation of the relaxation response showed statistically significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and fatigue as well as increases in vigor. In addition, 34% of these women became pregnant within 6 months of completing […]
Journal
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
We have investigated prospectively the efficacy of two nonpharmacologic relaxation techniques in the therapy of anxiety. A simple, meditational relaxation technique (MT) that elicits the changes of decreased sympathetic nervous system activity was compared to a self-hypnosis technique (HT) in which relaxation, with or without altered perceptions, was suggested. 32 patients with anxiety neurosis were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their responsivity to hypnosis: moderate-high an […]