Author(s)

Swayam Prava Baral^1*, Gyanendra Raghuvanshi², Abhay Paliwal³

¹Central institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, India.
²Department of Psychiatry, GMC, Datia, India.
³Department of Psychiatry, MGMMC, Indore, India.

Biofeedback is the way of gaining greater awareness of physiological functions with a goal of self-regulation. JPMR (Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation) causes release of tension in the skeletal muscles, neuro-muscular system is thus seen as a mediator in the relief of depressive symptoms. This study aimed to see the comparative efficacy of biofeedback-assisted JPMR, escitalopram and bimodal use of both in management in mild/moderate depression. The study was conducted at Mental Hospital, Indore, with a Sample Size of 30 [Group A 10; biofeedback, Group B 10; escitalopram, Group C 10; both]. 8 sessions of biofeedback-assisted JPMR were given to group A and C. Escitalopram was given to group B and C. HAM-D and BDI were applied at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. As per BDI scale scores, biofeedback-assisted JPMR combined with escitalopram has a significantly better response than only biofeedback or only escitalopram in patients of mild to moderate depression. As per HAM-D scale scores, biofeedback-assisted JPMR combined with escitalopram has a significantly better response than only biofeedback or only escitalopram in patients of mild to moderate depression. Thus biofeedback appears to be a useful adjunctive treatment for mild to moderate depressive episode.

Biofeedback, JPMR, Depression, Relaxation

Baral, S. , Raghuvanshi, G. and Paliwal, A. (2021) Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Biofeedback-Assisted Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation (JPMR) for Managing Mild/Moderate Depression. Open Journal of Depression, 10, 181-191. doi: 10.4236/ojd.2021.104012.