Role of mood in outcome of biofeedback assisted relaxation therapy in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Stressful life events and negative mood have been associated with elevated blood glucose and poor self-care in individuals with diabetes. The purpose of this controlled study was to determine the effect of mood state, specifi cally depression, anxiety, and daily hassles on the outcome of biofeedback assisted relaxation in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Eighteen subjec ts completed the study, nine in biofeedback assisted relaxation and nine in the control group. There were no significant group differences in blood gl ucose between those receiving biofeedback assisted relaxation and the subje cts continuing usual care. Five of the nine experimental subjects and one o f the nine control subjects were identified as succeeders according to an a rbitrary criterion. Treatment failures were more depressed, more anxious, a nd took longer to complete the protocol than succeeders. Statistically sign ificant correlations were found between high scores on inventories measurin g depression, anxiety, and hassles intensity and higher blood glucose level s and smaller changes in blood glucose as a result of treatment. It is sugg ested that mood has an important impact on the response to biofeedback assi sted relaxation. Further research is necessary to determine whether assessm ent of anxiety and depression followed by appropriate treatment where neces sary should precede biofeedback assisted relaxation in insulin dependent di abetes.