Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Psychiatry, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Medical College, Raipur, India

2 Department of Psychology, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, India

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders have high prevalence in diabetes patients and
low-middle income countries like India. Research has provided evidence about
biofeedback effectiveness on stress-related psychophysiological parameters. This
study aimed to verify the impact of GSR biofeedback relaxation on stress-related
psychophysiological parameters (galvanic skin resistance, stress, and anxiety)
among type II diabetes patients with high levels of anxiety.
Methods:  The present study was a single-blinded
randomized controlled trial. Initially, 228 type II diabetes patients were assessed
with the state trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Seventy participants identified as
having high anxiety with STAI scores above the 75th percentile were invited to
participate. Patients were randomly divided into a biofeedback relaxation and a
sham-control group. Participants of the biofeedback group received training on
how to use the GSR biofeedback device for management of stress parameters for
twenty 30-minute sessions. The sham-control group received no intervention.
Both groups were assessed before and after the biofeedback relaxation training
program. The results of the STAI, GSR, and the inventory of stress for type II
diabetes patients were compared. SPSS 16 version was used for analysis.
Results: The biofeedback group reported a significant change in the state of
anxiety (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 and
trait anxiety at the same time. These results are consistent with previous studies.
Conclusion: Biofeedback relaxation is a useful technique for managing stress
and anxiety in diabetes type II patients. During an emotional disturbance, it
may also be helpful in promoting overall psychological health. Further research
is necessary to determine the long-term effects of GSR biofeedback relaxation
and the effects of cortisol on mood among diabetes patients.

Keywords

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