Table 1.
Description, number of studies, and subjects in intervention categories
| Category | Description | n | # of Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxation | A therapy that promotes muscular and mental relaxation thought to increase parasympathetic activation and decrease sympathetic activation resulting in a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, slower breath rate, and reducing muscle tension (Benson, 1997; Jerath et al., 2006; Ducla-Soares et al., 2007). | 1070 | 25 |
| CBSM | Training and education in cognitive restructuring, assertiveness skills behavior change strategies, and stress response with training in one or many of the following: progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, meditation, guided imagery and breathing exercises, stress management techniques (Penedo et al., 2006). | 1361 | 22 |
| Hypnosis | Attention and focused concentration with a relative suspension of peripheral awareness (Spiegel & Spiegel, 1987) documented by fMRI (Faymonville et al., 2006; Raz et al., 2006) and EEG (de Pascalis, 1999) studies. | 618 | 21 |
| Visualization | Patient’s imagination used to visualize a specific health outcome (Simonton & Simonton, 1975; Gawain & Uchida, 1982). | 315 | 10 |
| CBT | Psychotherapy based on the idea that thoughts cause emotions and behaviors and aims to change the way a person thinks in order to improve emotion and behaviors (Schnurr et al., 2007). | 375 | 9 |
| Disclosure | Verbal or written expression of emotional experience (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999). | 303 | 7 |
| Support | Group intervention that stated support was the major component (Simoni et al., 2007). | 435 | 6 |
| MBSR | Structured group program that employs instruction and practice in mindfulness meditation, education and discussions, and intensive home practice (Kabat-Zinn, 1982). | 134 | 3 |
| Biofeedback | Measures physiological markers like heart rate, breathing rate, electromyography, electroencephalography, or electrodermal activity and displays the results back to the patient to aid in self-modulation (Schwartz & Andrasik, 2005). | 47 | 2 |
| Humor | Induction of laughter in the patient through various mediums (Bennett & Lengacher, 2008). | 73 | 2 |
| Meditation | Self-observation of mental activity, attentional focus training, and cultivating an attitude that highlights process rather than content (Ospina et al., 2007). | 20 | 2 |
| Music | Listening to music or singing (Hilliard, 2005). | 26 | 2 |
*
CBSM-cognitive based stress management; CBT-cognitive based therapy; MBSR-mindfulness-based stress reduction.