A progressive relaxation intervention at the worksite for African-American women

This study examined the efficacy of a worksite-based intervention in reducing blood pressure and personal strain in African-American women. The experimental group (n = 22) was taught a 7-muscle group progressive relaxation intervention. The women, for home practice, used audiocassette tapes and diaries. The control group (n = 21) was asked to set aside 30 minutes for relaxation. All women who participated in the study were visited at the worksite weekly for eight weeks. At the conclusion of the study, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean physical strain score (23.23 [SD = 6.85] v. 27.41 [SD = 8.49]) and interpersonal strain (25.81 [SD = 6.25] v. 23.57 [SD = 6.06]); both groups had significant reductions in psychological strain scores. Although there were no significant differences in the blood pressure of the two groups at the end of the 8-week intervention (121.95 [SD = 13.28] v. 129.33 [SD = 14.30]), the mean systolic blood pressure of the treatment group did decrease from 130 mmHg to 121 mmHg. Findings from this study support the use of the work-place as a means of improving the cardiovascular health of working African-American women.