The effects of relaxations on glucose tolerance in non-insulin-dependent diabetes

Twelve patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were hospitalized on a clinical research ward under identical conditions. A 3-h glucose tolerance test and an intravenous insulin tolerance test were performed on each patient. Half of the patients were then given 5 days of progressive relaxation training after which all patients were retested while treated patients practiced relaxation. Relaxation was found to significantly improve glucose tolerance without affecting insulin sensitivity or glucose-stimulated insulin secretory activity.