Evaluation of multiple component relaxation training with developmentally disabled persons.
A four-step relaxation bundle lowers muscle tension and movement in adults with ID no matter their skill level.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Calamari et al. (1987) built a four-part relaxation package for adults with intellectual disability. The parts were: tighten-and-release muscle training, EMG beeps that show tension, staff modeling, and praise for calm.
Staff ran two groups. One group got the full package. The other group just read quietly. They checked muscle electricity, activity counts, and skin temperature before and after.
What they found
The package group dropped muscle electricity and moved less. The quiet-time group stayed the same. Skin temperature did not change for either group.
High-IQ and low-IQ adults both calmed down the same. Success did not hinge on how well they talked or dressed.
How this fits with other research
Sanders et al. (1989) asked the next question: which relaxation style works best? They swapped the 1987 blend for Behavioural Relaxation Training—simple postural cues like "hands loose." Adults with moderate and severe ID showed bigger anxiety drops than with short muscle drills. The idea that relaxation helps now repeats across two shapes.
Blanchard et al. (1979) looks like a clash. They gave relaxation to children with severe asthma and saw no lung gain. The key gap is people and target: kids with breathing disease versus adults with ID. Relaxation still relaxed muscles; it just could not open tight airways.
Green et al. (1999) used the same build-a-package spirit. They wrapped exercise sessions with favorite music and toys. Unhappiness fell, much like muscle tension fell here. Both papers say "stack small supports; the sum beats the parts."
Why it matters
You can calm adults with ID even if they have no speech or self-help scores. Teach them to squeeze and release big muscles, give live feedback, model once, and praise calm. No need to buy costly gear—cheap EMG meters work. Add this package before dental visits, job interviews, or any event that sparks agitation.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Prior studies evaluating the response of developmentally disabled persons to relaxation training procedures are largely limited to case study reports. Most often relaxation training procedures are vaguely described in these studies, and limited outcome measures are employed. In the present comparative group outcome study a specific progressive muscle relaxation training procedure was combined with auditory electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback, modeling, and reinforcement procedures in an attempt to teach relaxation skills to mentally retarded persons (N = 32) who functioned in the profound to mild range. The procedure was effective in reducing experimental group subjects' EMG levels, F (1,28) = 6.39, p less than .05, and activity level as measured with an interval recording behavior rating procedure, F (1,28) = 58.05, p less than .05. No effect was found on peripheral skin temperature. Additionally, no significant difference between the response of low functioning and high functioning subjects was seen indicating that intellectual level and adaptive behavior level failed to predict success in treatment. Scoring on a simple behavioral assessment designed to measure receptive language skills and modeling abilities thought to relate to relaxation training success also failed to correlate with outcome measures. The need to develop other predictors of relaxation training success with a mentally retarded population is discussed.
Research in developmental disabilities, 1987 · doi:10.1016/0891-4222(87)90040-0