Date of Award:

5-1973

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Reed S. Morrill

Committee

Reed S. Morrill

Committee

Michael Bertoch

Committee

Elwin Nielsen

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of progressive relaxation training using an abridged form of Jacobson's (1938) relaxation exercises on the mean number of nocturnal sleep disturbances in a group of psychiatric inpatients. Nocturnal time-sampling observations were made during a 14 day base line to select Ss who averaged 1.5 sleep disturbances per night. Six women, ranging in age from 23 to 56 years, were classified as problem sleepers and were moved to a common bedroom, where a second 16 day base line was taken to control for changes in the nocturnal environment. After a brief introduction and demonstration, a tape recording of the relaxation exercises was played each night of the 20 day experimental period. Results indicate a statistically significant decrease (p < .05) in the mean number of sleep disturbances as compared to base line levels. Caution was suggested in interpreting the results due to the possibility of interaction between the performance of the relaxation exercises, alteration of the nocturnal environment, and Ss' hypnotic drug medication.

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