Short-term effects of a randomized controlled worksite relaxation intervention in Greece
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2014, Vol 21, Issue 2
Abstract
objective. To evaluate the short-term benefits of simple relaxation techniques in white-collar employees. materials and methods. The study was a two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial. 152 employees were randomly assigned to receive the 8-week programme (N=80) (relaxation breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, twice a day) or not (wait-list group N=72). Self-reported validated measures were used to evaluate perceived stress, health locus of control, job and lifestyle related variables. Saliva cortisol were also sampled and measured. Adjusted mean changes on outcomes were estimated by linear mixed model analysis. 127 employees were finally analyzed (68 in the intervention and 59 in the control group). results. Specific stress-related symptoms, psychological job demands and cortisol levels were found to be significantly decreased after 8-weeks in the intervention group. The result was probably affected by the general socio-economic condition during the study period. Cortisol levels were also significantly related with age, family situation, gender and sampling time. conclusions. Simple relaxation training (diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation) could benefit employees and it is strongly proposed that these and other similar techniques should be tested in various labour settings
Authors and Affiliations
Evangelos Alexopoulos, Marilena Zisi, Georgia Manola, Christina Darviri
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80798
- DOI -
- Views 157
- Downloads 0
HPLC analysis of potentially harmful substances released from dental filing aterials available on the EU market
Introduction. Incomplete cross-linking of composite dental materials leads to their susceptibility to degradation in the environment of non-organic and organic solvents, contributing to the release of chemical compounds...
Microtissue density prognostic factor evaluation based on antigens CD34 and CD 105 in ovarian cancer patients
Uncontrollable cell division and disorders of the apoptotic processes constitute the key phenomena in cancer transformation. The theory that the tumour growth above critical density is possible due to creation of the new...
Effect of repetitive mowing on common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) pollen and seed production.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L (common ragweed) is a familiar roadside weed in southern Quebec (Canada) that produces large amounts of airborne pollen responsible for multiple rhino-conjunctivitis (hay fever) cases. As roadsi...
The interaction between menstrual cycle, Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha receptors and sex hormones in healthy non-obese women – results from an observational study
There is growing evidence that TNF-alpha and its two receptors play an important role in hormonal regulation, metabolism, inflammation and cancer. The biological effects of TNF-alpha are mediated by two receptors, p55 an...
Volatile profiles of toxigenic and non-toxigenic Aspergillus flavus using SPME for solid phase extraction.
Toxigenic and atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus were grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and wetted (23% moisture) sterile, cracked corn for 14 and 21 days, respectively. Volatile compounds produced by A. flavus,...