Relaxation and skin conductance feedback in the control of reactions to cognitive tasks

Peripheral physiological activity and verbal ratings of tension and nervousness were assessed during instructed relaxation, and relaxation assisted by feedback of skin conductance level (SCL). Sixteen volunteers attempted to use each strategy in turn in a cross-over design. Responses were monitored both during quiet relaxation, and throughout the performance of taxing cognitive tasks. Th electrodermal feedback made no difference to the reductions in SCL, heart rate or subjective ratings, when relaxation was carried out in undisturbed conditions. Following training, reactions to cognitive tasks were attenuated. It is suggested that while SCL feedback may aid the management of reactivity, it has little impact in the short term on depth of relaxation achieved by instructional programmes.