Mahendra Kumar; Priyamvada Shrivastava
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2022, , Pages 16-22
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders have high prevalence in diabetes patients andlow-middle income countries like India. Research has provided evidence aboutbiofeedback effectiveness on stress-related ...
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Background: Anxiety disorders have high prevalence in diabetes patients andlow-middle income countries like India. Research has provided evidence aboutbiofeedback effectiveness on stress-related psychophysiological parameters. Thisstudy aimed to verify the impact of GSR biofeedback relaxation on stress-relatedpsychophysiological parameters (galvanic skin resistance, stress, and anxiety)among type II diabetes patients with high levels of anxiety.Methods: The present study was a single-blindedrandomized controlled trial. Initially, 228 type II diabetes patients were assessedwith the state trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Seventy participants identified ashaving high anxiety with STAI scores above the 75th percentile were invited toparticipate. Patients were randomly divided into a biofeedback relaxation and asham-control group. Participants of the biofeedback group received training onhow to use the GSR biofeedback device for management of stress parameters fortwenty 30-minute sessions. The sham-control group received no intervention.Both groups were assessed before and after the biofeedback relaxation trainingprogram. The results of the STAI, GSR, and the inventory of stress for type IIdiabetes patients were compared. SPSS 16 version was used for analysis.Results: The biofeedback group reported a significant change in the state ofanxiety (t=5.089; p <0.001), GSR (t=-2.199; p <0.035), and stress (F=46.850;p <0.001) post-test. The control group reported a moderate increase in stress andtrait anxiety at the same time. These results are consistent with previous studies.Conclusion: Biofeedback relaxation is a useful technique for managing stressand anxiety in diabetes type II patients. During an emotional disturbance, itmay also be helpful in promoting overall psychological health. Further researchis necessary to determine the long-term effects of GSR biofeedback relaxationand the effects of cortisol on mood among diabetes patients.
