Paradoxical instructions in relaxation training.

The effects of instructions (paradoxical versus standard), treatment technique (EMG biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation and self-relaxation) and subjects' sex were investigated in a 2 by 3 by 2 between-subjects design. Dependent measures were the changes in EMG and skin temperature over one 40-min. training session for 72 volunteers. For EMG change, the main effect of training was significant, with muscle relaxation producing less reduction than other techniques. This finding reflected an increase in EMG in the 5-min. posttreatment interval for the muscle relaxation group. For temperature change, the interaction of instructions and sex was significant, indicating that paradoxical instructions produced greater increases in temperature than standard instructions for men but not for women.