• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 1993

Relaxation technique is an independent nursing intervention used in various stressful situations. Relaxation techniques must be explored regarding relaxing imaginations used by the people in their traditional life experiences. So for Korean relaxation techniques to become culturally acceptable and effective imaginations of relaxation must be developed. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in relaxation levels of Koreans according to five relaxation imaginations and five groups and to analyze the factors influencing relaxation techniques for Korean people. The subjects were 38 hospitalized patients, 21 rural residents, 56 housewives, 16 researchers and 59 nursing students. Data were collected from September 4 to October 24, 1991 by interview or self-re-port questionnaires. The measurement tool was the graphic rating scale of relaxation levels. The data analysis was done by percent, ANOVA and Scheffe test using the SAS program. The. results of study are summerized as follows : 1. The relaxation level of Koreans was significantly different for the five relaxation imaginations (F=5.95, P=0.0001). Relaxation level of ‘after bathing imagination’ was 6.90, ‘in bed imagination’ was 6.55, ‘in the mountain imagination’ was 6.01, ‘snow and fireplace imagination’ was 5.84 and ‘at the seashore imagination’ was 5.80. As a result of the Scheffe test, ‘after bathing imagination’ was found to show a higher relaxation level than ‘at the sea-shore imagination’ ‘in the mountain imagination’ and ’snow and fireplace imagination(P〈.05). 2. The relaxation levels of the Koreans were not different for the five groups(F=1.26, P=0.29). 3. There were no differences in the relaxation level of the koreans according to sex, age, place of residence, place of residence during childhood, marital status, religion or educational status. In conclusion, Korean people prefer the ‘relaxation imagination of after bathing’ to western style relaxation imagination of ‘at the seashore imagination’ and ‘snow and fireplace imagination’.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.855-869
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of self-management relaxation training through biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation methods. The effectiveness of the experimental methods was tested by measuring the degree of symptoms of stress (SOS), the McNair's profile of Mood States (POMS), the levels of ephinephrine, norepinephrine, pulse rate, blood pressure and natural killer cells. The subjects of this study were sixty six nursing students divided into four groups : two groups were the biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation groups, the other two groups served as control groups. One was a group of sophomores with no experience at all, the other a junior group without self -management or relaxation training. This study was conducted for eight weeks of clinical practice from April, 26th 1998 to June, 20th 1998. Biofeedback training was done with software developed by J&J company (1-410 form for abdominal respiration training). Progressive muscle relaxation training was done with u audiotape recorded according to Jacobson's Theory. The data were analyzed with frequencies, means, and analysis of covariance using the SPSS program and the significance level of statistics was 5%. The results of the study are : 1) The importance of clinical practice stress reduction is shown in that the level of symptoms of stress in the experimental groups in clinical practice was higher than in the group receiving only a lecture. 2) The relaxation training methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation were effective in reducing the symptoms of stress under the clinical practice stress conditions. 3) The effectiveness of the biofeedback training relaxation method to reduce symptoms of stress was higher than that of progressive muscle relaxation. 4) The relaxation training methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation were effective in reducing stressful mood states. 5) The relaxation training methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation were not effective in reducing epinephrine and norepinephrine levels. 6) The relaxation training methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation were effective in increaing the number of natural killer cells. 7) The relaxation training methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation were effective in decreasing high systolic and diastolic values of blood pressure and high pulse rates. In summary, the relaxation methods of biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation in reducing clinical practice stress were effective in lowering the level of symptoms of stress and the profile of stressful mood states. They were also effective in lowering high blood pressure and pulse rates. The relaxation methods were effective in increasing the number of natural killer cells as part of the immune function. However, relaxation methods were not effective in reducing the catecholamine level. The biofeedback training method for reduction of symptoms of stress was more effective than the progressive muscle relaxation method.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.173-182
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• 1997

This study presents the results observed in the change in blood components of ten female students of “K” university's physical Education Department during submaximal exercise, relaxation and recovery periods. 1. After ecercise, the WBC value is higher than in relaxation time. Also within thirty minutes of the relaxation period it does not return to the normal range. 2. After exercise, the RBC value is higher than during relaxation time. Also in the recovery period, within 30 minutes it returns to the normal range. 3. After exercise. the RCT value is higher than during relaxation time. Also in the 30 minutes recovery period it returns to the normal range of relaxation. 4. After exercise, the Hb value is higher than during relaxation time. It rises slowly after exercise and returns to the relaxation range in the 30 minutes recovery period. 5. After exercise and in 10 minutes of the recovery period, the value of Glucose is lower than during relaxation time. It returns to the relaxation range in 30 minutes of the recovery period. 6. After exercise the value of protein is higher than during relaxation time. It returns to the relaxation range within ten to thirty minutes of the recovery period.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise therapy and relaxation therapy on the level of ACTH and cortisol in workers and to determine, from this information, the effectiveness of applied exercise therapy and relaxation therapy as a nursing intervention method for workers experiencing stress. Method: The subjects were divided into an exercise therapy group. a relaxation therapy group, and a control group. The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design (exercise therapy : n=12. relaxation therapy: n=12, control group, the group without exercise or relaxation therapy: n= 12). The subjects in the exercise therapy group were given a particular intensity for each kp over 30 min, bicycle ergometer which uses the LX PE training system before and after four weeks of training. The subjects did 60-70% exercise intensity exercise therapy for eight weeks The relaxation therapy subjects were trained using a modified Jacobson's relaxation technique for eight weeks. The exercise and relaxation therapy groups were trained at the following intensity for eight weeks (3 times/week, 30 min/day). Changes in the levels of ACTH and cortisol were identified. Two-way ANOVA and multiple range test (SNK: Student Newman Keul) were used to examine the effects of exercise therapy and relaxation therapy at four and eight weeks. Result: 1. Changes in the level of ACTH in the relaxation therapy group were statistically significant at .05 level, and were better than that of the exercise therapy group after eight weeks. But there was no significant difference between the exercise therapy group and the control group. 2. Change in the level of cortisol in the relaxation therapy group were statistically significant at .05 level as compared to the exercise therapy group and the control group after four weeks, but not after eight weeks. Also, the relaxation therapy was statistically significant at .05 level after four weeks compared to before treatment, but there was a tendency toward increased cortisol after eight weeks. Conclusion: Relaxation therapy was found to be more effective in stress treatment than exercise therapy and as such is a desirable nursing intervention method for stress hormone reduction in workers.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2006

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of Benson's Relaxation Technique on autonomic nervous system for normal subjects with Heart Rate Variability(HRV) and find out relationship with anti - stress effects. Methods: First, Benson's Relaxation Technique was applied on 5 normal subjects for three weeks. Then HRV was examined for 15 minutes Benson's Relaxation Technique application. Next, Benson's Relaxation Technique each 8 times was applied on 5 normal subjects for 1 weeks. Then :HRV was examined each 5 minutes before and after Benson's Relaxation Technique application. Results: 1. SDNN, SDSD increased continuously in HRV for three weeks Benson's Relaxation Technique application. 2. Mean HRV, SDNN, SDSD were significant different in HRV between before and after Benson's Relaxation Technique application at fourth week. Conclusion: The results suggest that Benson's Relaxation Technique application have shown anti-stress effects and the more Benson's Relaxation Technique is repeated, the more effective.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.415-425
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• 1999

$[K^+]_o$ can be increased under a variety of conditions including subarachnoid hemorrhage. The increase of $[K^+]_o$ in the range of $5{\sim}15$ mM may affect tensions of blood vessels and cause relaxation of agonist-induced precontracted vascular smooth muscle $(K^+-induced$ relaxation). In this study, effect of the increase in extracellular $K^+$ concentration on the agonist-induced contractions of various arteries including resistant arteries of rabbit was examined, using home-made Mulvany-type myograph. Extracellular $K^+$ was increased in three different ways; from initial 1 to 3 mM, from initial 3 to 6 mM, or from initial 6 to 12 mM. In superior mesenteric arteries, the relaxation induced by extracellular $K^+$ elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM was the most prominent among the relaxations induced by the elevations in three different ways. In cerebral arteries, the most prominent relaxation was produced by the elevation of extracellular $K^+$ from initial 1 to 3 mM and a slight relaxation was provoked by the elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM. In superior mesenteric arteries, $K^+-induced$ relaxation by the elevation from initial 6 to 12 mM was blocked by $Ba^{2+}\;(30\;{\mu}M)$ and the relaxation by the elevation from 1 to 3 mM or from 3 to 6 mM was not blocked by $Ba^{2+}.$ In cerebral arteries, however, $K^+-induced$ relaxation by the elevation from initial 3 to 6 mM was blocked by $Ba^{2+},$ whereas the relaxation by the elevation from 1 to 3 mM was not blocked by $Ba^{2+}.$ Ouabain inhibited all of the relaxations induced by the extracellular $K^+$ elevations in three different ways. In cerebral arteries, when extracellular $K^+$ was increased to 14 mM with 2 or 3 mM increments, almost complete relaxation was induced at 1 or 3 mM of initial $K^+$ concentration and slight relaxation occurred at 6 mM. TEA did not inhibit $Ba^{2+}-sensitive$ relaxation at all and NMMA or endothelial removal did not inhibit $K^+-induced$ relaxation. Most conduit arteries such as aorta, carotid artery, and renal artery were not relaxed by the elevation of extracellular $K^+.$ Among conduit arteries, trunk of superior mesenteric artery and basilar artery were relaxed by the elevations of $[K^+]_o.$ These data suggest that $K^+-induced$ relaxation has two independent components, $Ba^{2+}-sensitive$ and $Ba^{2+}-insensitive$ one and there are different mechanisms for $K^+-induced$ relaxation in various arteries.

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.70-85
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• 1992

Relaxation technique is an independent nursing intervention used in various stressful situations. The concept of relaxation must be explored for the meaning given by the people in their traditional thought and philosophy. Korean relaxation technique, wanting to become culturally acceptable and effective, is learning to recognize and develop Korean concepts, experiences, and musics of relaxation. This study was aimed at discovering Korean concepts, experiences and musics of relaxation and contributing the development of the relaxation technique for Korean people. The subjects were 59 mursing students, 39 hospitalized patients, 61 housewives, 21 rural residents and 16 researchers. Data were collected from September 4th to October 24th, 1991 by interviews or questionaires. The data analysis was done by qualitative research method, and validity assured by conformation of the concept and category by 2nursing scientists who had written a Master's thesis on the relaxation technique. The results of the study were summerized as follows; 1. The meaning of the relaxation concept; From 298 statements, 107 concepts were extracted and then 5 categories "Physical domain", "Psychological domain", "Complex domain", "Situation", and "environment" were organized. 'Don't have discomforts, 'don't have muscle tension', 'don't have energy(him in Korean)', 'don't have activities' subcategories were included in "Physical domain". 'Don't have anxiey', 'feel good', 'emotional stability', 'don't have wordly thoughts', 'feel one's brain muddled', 'loss of desire' subcategories were included in "physical domain" 'Comfort body and mind', 'don't have tension of body and mind', 'be sagged' 'liveliness of thoughts' subcategories were included in "Complex domain". 'Rest', 'sleep', 'others' subcategories were included in "Situation domain". And 'quite environment' & 'comfortable environment' subcategories were included in "Environmental domain". 2. The experiences of the relaxation; From 151 statements, 59 experiences were extracted. And then 9 categories-at rest after physical activities, after problem solving, fancy, bathing in the bed, situation, rest, particular time, others-were organized. 3. The musics of the relaxation; From 229 statements, 108 musics were extracted. and the 9 categories- Western classical music, semi classical music, Korean song, Korean popular classical music, song, western popular sonhg, hymn, characteristics of music, others - were organized. In conclusion, There are some differences between Korean concepts, experiences and musics of relasation and western concepts, experiences and musics of relaxation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.370-380
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• 1997

The role of nitric oxide (NO) on the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations induced by the short and prolonged electrical field stimulation (EFS) has been studied in the rabbit corpus cavernosum. In the presence of atropine and guanethidine the prolonged EFS (2-16 Hz) of corpus cavernosal strips precontracted with phenylephrine produced frequency-dependent relaxations, which were abolished by tetrodotoxin as shown in the relaxations induced gy the short EFS, indicating that their orgin is NANC nerve stimulation. $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), inhibitor of nitirc oxide synthase, caused a concentration-dependent inhibition to the NANC relaxation, and at 100 M L-NNA the relaxation were virtually abolished. The inhibitory effect of L-NNA was reversed by L-arginine. Hemoglobin abolished the relaxations to NO and also caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the NANC relaxation. The hemoglobin-resistant relaxation induced by EFS was eliminated by L-NNA. Methylene blue significantly reduced the NANC relaxation in a conentration-dependent manner. The NANC relaxation was not affected by a VIP-inactivating pepridase, alpha0chymotrypsin, whereas VIP-induced relaxation was completely abolished. NO- and VIP-induced relaxation were not affected by L-NNA. These results indicate that the NANC relaxation induced by prolonged EFS of the rabbit corpus cavernosum is mediated by NO-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate pathway as shown in the relaxation induced by the short EFS, and that VIP release is not essential for the NANC relaxation of the rabbit corpus cavernosum and VIP is not involved the generation fo NO.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.31-36
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• 2006

In this study, stress relaxation behaviors of nonwoven geotextile and geomembrane which have protection, filtration and drainage, water barrier functions, respectively were examined. 'Theory of transition phenomen' was applied to interpretate the stress relaxation behaviors of two geosynthetics. The initial and later relaxation times for stress relaxation behaviors of geosynthetics were derived from the constitutive equations. The initial relaxation behaviors of these geosynthetics were dependent on the additional strains and were especially faster with temperature. Finally, both relaxation times of geosynthetics were shorter with additional strain and temperature and the reduction of relaxation times of nonwoven geotextile were larger than those of geomembrane.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2011

The relaxation spectra of polyacrylonitrile-poly(vinyl chloride) copolymer filament fibers were obtained by applying the experimental stress relaxation curves to the theoretical equation of relaxation spectrum. The theoretical equation of relaxation spectrum was derived from the Ree-Eyring and Maxwell model. The experimental of stress relaxation was carried out using a tensile tester with a solvent chamber. The determination of relaxation spectra was performed by computer calculation. From the relaxation spectra, the fine structures, viscoelastic properties and hole volumes of solid polymers were studied. It was observed that the relaxation spectra of these samples were directly related to the distribution of molecular weights and self diffusions of flow segments.