The Impact of a Relaxation Technique on the Lipid Profile

The purpose of this research was to test the effect of a relaxation technique on blood lipid levels. Sixty outpatient males with known hyperlipidemia were recruited to the study. All participants were stabilized on an American Heart Association Step I diet for 8 weeks. After stabilization, participants were randomly assigned to relaxation or reading groups and received in-depth follow-up and support over another 8-week period. Monthly follow-up continued for an additional 8 months. Although both groups demonstrated decreased weight, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, no group differences were detected over time. This suggests that relaxation training may not be an effective technique for long-term clinical management of clients with dyslipidemias.