Do Videos That Aim to Optimize Expectations Alter the Effectivess of PMR?

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study's aim is to determine whether a short video aiming to optimize expectations regarding the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) ist able to improve the actual effectiveness of PMR in comparison with a neutral (no video) control group.

Official Title
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Effects of Videos Aiming to Optimize Expectations on Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

Conditions
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Experimental Group 1 (Video Personal Expert), Experimental Group 2 (Video Factual Expert), Control Group

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy participants fluency in the German language to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Chronic illness Mental disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental group 1 (personal expert)<br>Participants watch a video of an expert describing the positive effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) with personalized examples and stories before undergoing a PMR session. | Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)<br>* All groups undergo a PMR session, but they differ regarding the treatment before the PMR session. Two groups watch a video before undergoing PMR, the control group reads a text before undergoing PMR. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique for learning to monitor and control the state of muscular tension. It was developed by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the early 1920s. The technique involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.<br>|
| Experimental: Experimental group 2 (factual expert)<br>Participants watch a video of an expert describing the positive effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) with factual information (not personal) before undergoing a PMR session. | Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)<br>* All groups undergo a PMR session, but they differ regarding the treatment before the PMR session. Two groups watch a video before undergoing PMR, the control group reads a text before undergoing PMR. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique for learning to monitor and control the state of muscular tension. It was developed by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the early 1920s. The technique involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control group<br>Participants read a neutral text before undergoing a Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) session. | Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)<br>* All groups undergo a PMR session, but they differ regarding the treatment before the PMR session. Two groups watch a video before undergoing PMR, the control group reads a text before undergoing PMR. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a technique for learning to monitor and control the state of muscular tension. It was developed by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the early 1920s. The technique involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in perceived/subjective relaxation | Participants are asked to rate how relaxed they feel at the moment at two time points (baseline and after the PMR intervention) on a questionnaire (VAS: item ranges from 0 (not relaxed at all) - 100 (very relaxed). Change scores are calculated (post- minus pre-scores). | Change from pre (baseline) to post scores (30 minutes later) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in perceived stress | Participants are asked to rate how stressed they feel at the moment at two time points (baseline and after the PMR intervention) on a questionnaire (VAS: item ranges from 0 (not stressed at all) - 100 (very stressed). Change scores are calculated (post- minus pre-scores). | Change from pre (baseline) to post scores (30 minutes later) | 
| Change in physiological relaxation | Electromyography is used to assess participants' physiological relaxation status at baseline and after the PMR intervention. Change scores are calculated (post- minus pre-scores). | Change from pre (baseline) to post scores (30 minutes later) |