Valsalva response during progressive relaxation: an extension study

This was the second study in a series to investigate the impact of muscle-tension time and breathing pattern on initiation of the Valsalva response during four tense/relax cycles of progressive relaxation. Thirty-three healthy adult subjects performed the hand, upper arm, forehead, and abdomen tense/relax cycles of a standard progressive relaxation procedure while their heart rate and breathing patterns were monitored. Occurrence of the Valsalva response was determined by dividing peak tachycardia during tension by maximum bradycardia following release of the tension. A Valsalva ratio greater than 1.5 indicates presence of the Valsalva response. Eighteen percent of the sample exhibited a Valsalva ratio score greater than 1.5 in one or more of the tense/relax cycles. In a previous study, 43% of the subjects exhibited the Valsalva response. When compared with the findings of the previous study, these present findings indicate that controlling breathing pattern and decreasing tensing time may decrease the occurrence of the Valsalva response during progressive relaxation.