Efficacy of Progressive Muscle Relaxation on stress reduction in survivors of Hurricane Katrina

Stress experienced by survivors of a disaster can lead to chronic physical and psychological morbidity. Pharmacological interventions, as well as complimentary and alternative modalities, have been utilized for stress reduction. The objective of this pilot study is to determine the efficacy of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (a non-allopathic modality) on stress reduction in survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Fourteen elderly, African American, female survivors of Hurricane Katrina were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group at a community center in New Orleans. A structured, prospective, longitudinal, between-subject and within-subject design was utilized. The experimental group participated in six bi-weekly thirty minute sessions of Progressive Muscle Relaxation followed by a thirty minute open talk session regarding subjects' phenomenological experience of stress and stress reduction. The control group also participated in a thirty minute open talk session. Pulse rates of all subjects were recorded before and after each session and the (validated) Perceived Stress Questionnaire & Perceived Stress Survey were completed by all subjects on the first day of each bi-weekly session and after the completion of the final session. Data was analyzed for longitudinal differences within each subject's responses over the duration of the study and for differences between experimental and control group responses. Pulse rates were analyzed utilizing repeated-measures ANOVA and F-statistic. Questionnaire results were analyzed with Friedman test and Fisher's exact test. Preliminary findings indicate a positive correlation between Progressive Muscle Relaxation and stress reduction.