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Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and ABC relaxation theory
Abstract
This study compared the psychological effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and breathing exercises. Forty‐two students were divided randomly into two groups and taught PMR or breathing exercises. Both groups practiced for five weeks and were given the Smith Relaxation States Inventory before and after each session. As hypothesized, PMR practitioners displayed greater increments in relaxation states (R‐States) Physical Relaxation and Disengagement, while breathing practitioners displayed higher levels of R‐State Strength and Awareness. Slight differences emerged at Weeks 1 and 2; major differences emerged at Weeks 4 and 5. A delayed and potentially reinforcing aftereffect emerged for PMR only after five weeks of training—increased levels of Mental Quiet and Joy. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1551–1557, 2001.
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“However, classroom physical activity breaks may be regarded as an effective intervention against stress response by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity and enhancing parasympathetic modulation [59].”
From Effect of classroom physical activity breaks on learning behaviors and academic achievements in university students: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as [59]
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Research works printed but not linked: 9
- Benson H., 1975, The relaxation response
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- Davidson R.J., 1976, Behavioral control and the modification of physiological activity, 200
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- 10.1007/BF02214150 · DOI
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Quintana-Hernández, D. J., Miró-Barrachina, M. T., Ibáñez-Fernández, I. J., Pino, A. S.-D., Quintana-Montesdeoca, M. P., Rodríguez-de Vera, B., Morales-Casanova, D., Pérez-Vieitez, M. D. C., Rodríguez-García, J., & Bravo-Caraduje, N. (2016) · Journal of Alzheimer's Disease · doi:10.3233/jad-143009 · Cited by 107
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Malhotra, S., Chakrabarti, S., Gupta, A., Mehta, A., Shah, R., Kumar, V., & Sharma, M. (2013) · The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine · doi:10.2190/pm.46.4.a · Cited by 10
Deng, Q., Wu, C., & Yang, L. (2026) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-026-01936-7
“However, classroom physical activity breaks may be regarded as an effective intervention against stress response by reducing sympathetic nervous system activity and enhancing parasympathetic modulation [59].”
Metadata
- Authors
- Matsumoto, M., & Smith, J. C.
- Affiliations
- Roosevelt University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Smith, Jonathan C.
- ORCID
- Smith, Jonathan C.
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-11-08
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1551-1557
- ISSN
- 0021-9762 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4679
- OpenAlex
- W2166759242
- Cited by
- 50
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, relaxation training, relaxed state, physical relaxation, disengagement, joy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Relaxation, Reinforcement, Psychology, Relaxation Therapy, Respiration, Yoga, Meditation
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- The paper
- Matsumoto, M., & Smith, J. C. (2001). Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and ABC relaxation theory. Journal of Clinical Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.1117
