The Effectiveness of Diaphragmatic Breathing Relaxation Training for Reducing Anxiety
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PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness on reducing anxiety of a diaphragmatic breathing relaxation (DBR) training program. DESIGN AND METHODS: This experimental, pre-test-post-test randomized controlled trial with repeated measures collected data using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and biofeedback tests for skin conductivity, peripheral blood flow, heart rate, and breathing rate. FINDINGS: The experimental group achieved significant reductions in Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (p < .05), peripheral temperature (p = .026), heart rate (p = .005), and breathing rate (p = .004) over the 8-week training period. The experimental group further achieved a significant reduction in breathing rate (p < .001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide guidance for providing quality care that effectively reduces the anxiety level of care recipients in clinical and community settings.
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CBT for anxiety often includes specific relaxation strategies that aim to reduce physiological arousal, including deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.
“In addition, CBT for anxiety often includes specific relaxation strategies that aim to reduce physiological arousal.These include deep breathing (slow paced diaphragmatic breathing) (Chen et al., 2017), progressive muscle relaxation (PMR; progressively tensing and releasing various muscle groups) (Bernstein & Borkovec, 1973) and guided imagery (imagining a pleasant, relaxing scene) (Daake & Gueldn”
From A mixed methods study of autistic adults' mental health therapy experiences (2023) · cites this paper as Chen et al., 2017
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- Authors
- Chen, Y.-F., Huang, X.-Y., Chien, C.-H., & Cheng, J.-F.
- Affiliations
- Taichung Veterans General Hospital (TW)
- National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science (TW)
- China Medical University (TW)
- Corresponding author
- Huang, Xuan-Yi
- Venue
- Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-08-23
- Volume
- 53
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 329-336
- ISSN
- 0031-5990 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2513562188
- Cited by
- 179
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 8.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Perspectives In Psychiatric Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- China Medical University (CMU95-204)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Music Therapy and Health
- Keywords
- diaphragmatic breathing, relaxation training, anxiety reduction, biofeedback, skin conductance, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral blood flow, Beck Anxiety Inventory, nursing care
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Anxiety, Biofeedback, Psychology, Breathing Exercises, Female, Humans, Male, Patient Education as Topic, Relaxation Therapy, Young Adult
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