Therapist Warmth as a Factor in Automated Relaxation Training

Automated relaxation training was administered by two therapists, each using a warm and cold voice. A self relaxation group which heard the warm or cold voice but no relaxation instructions were used as a control (a 2 X 2 X 2 factorial design: therapist I - therapist II; warm — cold; relaxation instructions — self relaxation). The effectiveness of the procedures was measured by reduction in physiological level of arousal (EKG and EMG) and self report. No physiological differences were found. The self report measure was significantly reduced for the groups who heard the warm voice.