Date of Award

9-26-2000

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jeffrey E. Holm

Abstract

Although considerable research has demonstrated that progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is an effective treatment for tension-type headache, the mechanism responsible for its effectiveness has not been determined. Recent findings regarding physiological disregulation and its impact on headache indicate a possible mechanism for the effectiveness of PMR. Physiological disregulation occurs when physiological responses are not appropriately monitored, or when they are monitored correctly but adjustments are not made in an appropriate manner. It is suggested that this disregulation can disrupt homeostasis which then leads to tension-type headache. Because PMR enhances a person's ability to monitor his/her physiology and make necessary adjustments, its treatment effectiveness may be due to a reduction in physiological disregulation. This study attempted to replicate previous research by demonstrating physiological disregulation in tension-type headache sufferers. This was done by comparing (via time-series analyses) physiological responses (e.g., pulse, blood volume, skin resistance, and EMG) and self-reported responses to a stressful event in headache sufferers, as well as in headache-free individuals during two different laboratory sessions. Between laboratory sessions, one group of headache sufferers was provided PMR treatment for their headaches. It was hypothesized that headache sufferers would initially be less accurate than headache-free controls at monitoring their physiology, thereby showing fewer correlations between their physiological responses and their self-reports of stress. However, it was also hypothesized that after receiving treatment they would show an increase in the number of these correlations in comparison to headache sufferers who did not receive treatment. This study did not support the hypothesis that tension-type headache sufferers would be more likely to demonstrate physiological disregulation than headache-free individuals. Results also did not support the hypothesis that headache sufferers who received treatment would show decreased physiological disregulation after treatment. This study did support previous research by demonstrating that PMR is an effective treatment for tension-type headache. Additionally, this study demonstrated that PMR can be effectively implemented in fewer sessions than has previously been documented.

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