Efficacy of Progressive Relaxation, and Relaxation Combined by Periodic Visual Stimulation and Periodic Audio Stimulation on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate of University Students

Background and The aim of this research was to compare the efficacy of relaxation, and relaxation combined by periodic visual stimulation and periodic audio stimulation on blood pressure and heart rate of university students. This experimental study was conducted in 36 psychology students in Allameh Tabatabaee University. The students were randomly selected and divided into three groups (n=12 per group). For all groups five sessions were held for 15 minutes. In group I progressive relaxation was performed combined by periodic visual stimulation. Group II had progressive relaxation combined by periodic audio stimulation. But group III had only progressive relaxation. The subjects’ blood pressure and heart rate were measured in three groups. Data was analyzed by covariance analysis and LSD in SPSS V.15. The results showed that relaxation combined by periodic audio and visual stimulation was more effective than relaxation alone by lowering the participants’ blood pressure level and heart rate. According to this research, Audio And video stimulation improve effectiveness of relaxation method.