Changes of body sensation through muscular relaxation: Using the method of measuring tactile two-point limen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore changes in body sensation through muscular relaxation by means of measurement of tactile two-point limen. This study comprised two experiments The first experiment, in which twenty female college students participated, was carried out to examine the effect of relaxation on two point limen, and the relationship between the acceptance of relaxation and two-point limen. The second experiment involved three physically handicapped children with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia. To determine whether they would show a decrease in two-point limen in the shoulders and forearms as a function of improvement of relaxation, they were given a week long intensive Motor Action Training, which was administered by means of the relaxation and movement training method established by Naruse. The results showed that the two-point limen decreased remarkably for both normal adult subjects and physically handicapped subjects as they relaxed muscular tension. Concerning the acceptance of relaxation, the high acceptance group showed a large decrease in the two-point limen, whereas the low acceptance group did not show any change. © 1989, The Japanese Psychological Association. All rights reserved.