Sequence effects of relaxation training, EMG, and temperature biofeedback on anxiety, symptom report, and...

Assessed the effects of particular treatment combinations of relaxation training, temperature, and EMG biofeedback on state-trait anxiety, symptom report, and self-concept. The four groups received one of the following sequences: (a) relaxation training, temperature, and EMG biofeedback; (b) temperature, EMG biofeedback, and relaxation; (c) temperature followed by EMG biofeedback; (d) EMG biofeedback followed by temperature. A sample of 37 volunteers participated in 16 20-minute training sessions over an 11-week period, which totaled 800 appointments. Training was found equally effective for decreasing frontalis EMG and increasing finger skin temperature, regardless of sequence. Most substantial improvement occurred after 8 sessions, whereas little improvement was found after 16 sessions. Each group became increasingly homogeneous over time on all measures.