Is group progressive relaxation training as effective with hyperactive children as individual EMG biofeedback...

This study examined whether group progressive relaxation training was as effective as individual EMG biofeedback training in facilitating the academic achievement and self-control of 45 hyperactive elementary school children. Academic achievement was assessed with the Gates-MacGinities Reading Tests, and self-control was measured with the Nowicki-Strickland and the Teacher Rating scales. Eight sessions were scheduled at weekly intervals. Progressive relaxation was conducted in groups of seven or eight and was induced with a commercial audiocassette program. EMG training augmented frontalis biofeedback with those taped exercises. A placebo group listened to taped children's stories. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated no significant differences among the three contrast groups when all dependent variables were considered together. However, univariate F values and discriminant analysis disclosed locus of control to be significantly more internal for the progressive relaxation condition. Also, differences between the two relaxation and the placebo groups, though not statistically significant, were all in the expected direction. While the relative efficacy of group progressive relaxation could not be established conclusively, the data appeared sufficiently positive to warrant further investigation of this cost-effective prospective intervention.