Previous research has shown that relaxation interventions can reduce distress, anxiety, and depression. The exact mechanisms that underlie the efficacy of relaxation interventions remain unresolved. This study aimed to investigate whether applied relaxation (AR) leads to changes in cortisol secretion and whether these effects mediate fewer symptoms due to AR. Data come from a randomized controlled preventive interventional trial ( = 277) with elevated tension/distress, anxiety, or depressive symptomatology. Participants were randomized to an intervention group (IG;  = 139, received AR training), or a non-interventional control group (CG,  = 138). Psychopathological symptoms were assessed with DASS-21 and diagnoses of mental disorders DIA-X-5. Cortisol was measured as short-term index in saliva (six times/d for 2 d at pre-, post-, and follow-up [FU] assessment) and long-term index in hair samples (once at pre-assessment and FU, respectively). Data were analyzed as pre-specified secondary analyses of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) on completer basis ( = 134 CG,  = 102 IG), using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models and mediation analyses (the DASS-21 change in the IG CG with cortisol (area under the curve [AUC]) as mediator). From pre- to post-assessment, total daily salivary cortisol (AUC) decreased more strongly in the IG . CG (-coefficient: -13.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -26.85 to -0.81), but was rendered non-significant when adjusting for pre-assessment AUC. This effect was not found for the cortisol awakening response (CAR) or hair cortisol. There was no evidence for a mediation of cortisol (AUC). These findings provide little support for the idea that cortisol reductions explain the beneficial effects of AR on mental health.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2022.2045939DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

randomized controlled
12
cortisol
9
applied relaxation
8
cortisol secretion
8
anxiety depressive
8
relaxation interventions
8
cortisol auc
8
relaxation cortisol
4
secretion findings
4
randomized
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!