Effects of body-mind training and relaxation stretching on persons with chronic toxic encephalopathy

The purpose of this project was to investigate the psychological and physic al effects of training of body awareness and slow stretching on persons wit h chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE). In the present study, a method of sel f-regulation, a body-mind training, is presented. The body-mind training us ed was a guided relaxation technique combined with meditative stretching. T he techniques are introduced and the psychological and physiological effect s of the training is presented. Eight subjects with CTE, 48.5 years, were t rained for 8 weeks. Outcome measures were percentage alpha brain waves (alp ha%), electromyography (EMG) on the frontalis muscle, state-trait anxiety ( STAI), creativity (RAT), and mood measured as anxiousness, humour and menta l fatigue. The mean alpha% increased 52% during the training period (P < 0. 01), and the EMG decreased 31% (P < 0.001). State anxiety decreased 22% dur ing the training period (P < 0.01), but no changes were observed in trait a nxiety and in the creativity score. The level of anxiousness and fatigue be fore a training session decreased during the training period. In conclusion , the body-mind training resulted in an improved ability for physical and m ental relaxation as indicated from the lower EMG, the higher alpha% and the decrease in state anxiety. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.