The Effects of Relaxation on Glucose Tolerance in Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes

Twelve patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were hospitalized on a clinical research ward under identical conditions. A 3-h glucose tolerance test and an intravenous insulin tolerance test were performed on each patient. Half of the patients werethen given 5 days of progressive relaxation training after which all patients were retested while treated patients practiced relaxation. Relaxation was found to significantly improve glucose tolerance without affecting insulin sensitivity or glucosestimulated insulinsecretory activity.