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Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on cerebral activity: An fMRI investigation
1Department of Nursing, Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Japan.
Objectives:
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is one of the self-management relaxation techniques that can be used in the general population and patients with specific issues. However, no study to date has revealed the brain activity associated with PMR. Therefore, we assessed the changes in brain activity induced by PMR using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Design And Setting:
We conducted an intervention study with PMR and control sessions. The subjects were twelve healthy adult men who had no prior experience of PMR.
Interventions:
Subjects performed a control session in which muscles were repeatedly simply tensed and relaxed. Subsequently, a PMR session took place, during which muscle tension was reduced through a systematic procedure of tensing and relaxing of muscle groups combined with structured breathing.
Main Outcome Measures:
We identified and visualised brain activity based on individual and group-level analysis of fMRI data.
Results:
Eleven subjects' data were analysed. In the control session, brain activity broadly changed, while the change was limited to specific parts of the cerebral cortex and limbic system in the PMR session. PMR gradually decreased activity in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). In a region of interest (ROI) analysis, interactions between sessions were observed in the putamen, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), postcentral gyrus (PCG), and insula.
Conclusions:
That PMR led to few areas showing changed activity suggests that the technique may suppress brain activity. Even novices may be able to induce such a focused mental state.
Insights
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) may suppress brain activity, particularly in novices. This study used fMRI to observe brain changes during PMR, finding limited activity in specific brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a self-management technique for general and patient populations.
- Previous research has not detailed the brain activity associated with PMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the brain activity changes induced by PMR using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Main Methods:
- An intervention study comparing PMR sessions with control sessions in twelve healthy adult males with no prior PMR experience.
- fMRI data was analyzed at individual and group levels to identify and visualize brain activity.
Main Results:
- PMR sessions showed limited brain activity changes compared to broad changes in control sessions.
- PMR decreased activity in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC).
- Region of interest analysis revealed session interactions in the putamen, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), postcentral gyrus (PCG), and insula.
Conclusions:
- The limited brain activity changes suggest PMR may suppress neural activity.
- Novices can potentially achieve a focused mental state through PMR.
