Differential mood changes in alcoholics as a function of anxiety management strategies

A study was designed to compare the effects of three relaxation strategies on mood state profiles in a group of 30 male alcoholics. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used for pre- and posttest treatment measures. The results indicated that the three relaxation strategies--progressive relaxation training, (PRT), meditation training (MT), quiet rest (QR)--produced qualitatively different patterns. While both PRT and MT produced measurable decrements in self-reported tension and QR controls showed no change on any of the six subscales, PRT was observed to effect decreased depression as well as a trend toward increased vigor. Meditation training effects were limited to decreased tension and a nonsignificant decrease in fatigue. These results are discussed in terms of refinement of the "relaxation response" notion to a more heterogeneous, technique-centered definition.