The relaxation response: history, physiological basis and clinical usefulness

Considerable emphasis has been placed upon the relation of behavioural factors to the development of coronary artery disease. There is, however, the opposite potential: behavioural processes may lead to the alleviation and reversal of some of the predisposing features of this illness. This paper presents evidence that specific behaviours and thought patterns are associated with the elicitation of an innate physiological capacity termed the relaxation response. It will discuss the history of this response, its physiological basis, clinical usefulness (particularly in prevention) and some recent findings concerning the underlying mechanism of its actions.