PSYCHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF GLYCEMIC CHANGE WITH RELAXATION TRAINING IN NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Background: Previous findings are unclear regarding the possible glyce mic benefits of applying behavioral relaxation training in non-insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), Methods: Subjects with NIDDM wer e randomized to relaxation training (6 sessions of progressive muscle relaxation and imagery, n = 12) or control treatment (routine medical care, n = 10). Physiological measures were total glycosylated hemoglob in (GHb) and area under the 2-hour oral-glucose-tolerance curve (AUC), Psychological measures of generalized distress, anxiety and daily str ess were also administered, All subjects were assessed before and afte r the 8-week intervention, and again at 16 weeks of long-term follow-u p, Results: There were no postintervention group differences in physio logical variables, Highly distressed subjects and those who rated thei r glucose as more stress responsive tended to practice relaxation less between sessions, Within the treated group only, lower preinterventio n stress responsivity was associated with greater improvement in GHb, and lower anxiety and distress levels predicted long-term improvement in AUC. Conclusions: It remains unclear whether relaxation training pr oduces glycemic benefits in NIDDM, Perhaps the least anxious and stres s-responsive patients only benefit from group-based relaxation trainin g, whereas anxious individuals require intensive individually administ ered interventions.