Effects of parental relaxation training on glycosylated hemoglobin of children with diabetes.

Abstract

Since 1975, interest in biofeedback, relaxation and self-regulation has increased for people with diabetes mellitus. Although children and adults using relaxation training enhanced by some method of biofeedback training have been studied, nothing has been done to document its effect on the children's Hgb A1c (glycosylated hemoglobin). Parents scoring 300 or above on the "Life Stress Scale" participated in 10 weeks of progressive relaxation training supported by temperature biofeedback. Their children's blood was tested for glycosylated hemoglobin prior to the relaxation training process and again at the conclusion of the study. The outcome demonstrated no significant differences in pre- versus post-Hgb A1c in the control group (P less than 0.16). In spite of the small sample size, the pre- versus post-experimental group demonstrated a significant difference (P less than 0.045). The significance of the utilization of such practices will be discussed relative to the outcome of increased control of blood glucose levels.