We usually evaluate effects of occupational therapy by observation of psychological stability or questionnaires. It is important to establish an evaluation method using biomarkers. Heart rate variability (HRV), employed as an index of cardiac autonomic function, has been used mainly in the field of anesthesia or internal medicine. In this case report we use spectral analysis of HRV to evaluate the effect of a psychiatric relaxation program. During the relaxation program average heart rate and ln LF/HF was smaller and ln HF was larger than at rest. These results suggest that parasympathetic nervous system activity was stimulated and sympathetic nervous system activity was suppressed during the relaxation program.

 Focused relaxation fosters mental and physical repose using stretching and breathing techniques in a pleasant environment. In this study, we analyzed the usefulness of this relaxation technique at the workplace by examining autonomic nervous system activity and psychological effects. Eleven healthy adults (7 males and 4 females) participated in this relaxation technique at a workplace. We investigated heart rate variability, salivary amylase levels and psychological state (Profile of Mood States) before and after the relaxation technique. Average levels of salivary amylase declined from 29.2±12.7kIU/L (mean±standard deviation) to 23.2±10.9kIU/L during the relaxation technique (p=0.05). Average heart rate was also reduced from 90.8±10.0beats/min to 84.9+8.9beats/min during the relaxation technique (p<0.01). Average hig-frequency band power values increased from 315.1±211.3msec2 to 381.8±225.3msec2 during the relaxation technique (p=0.02). Tension Anxiety score of Profile of Mood States decreased from 40.5±4.6 to 35.8±3.3 after the relaxation technique (p<0.01), and the Fatigue score of Profile of Mood States declined from 43.8±6.2 to 40.4±4.1 after the relaxation technique (p<0.05). These results suggested that the relaxation technique increased parasympathetic nervous system activity and decreased sympathetic nervous system activity. This relaxation technique can easily be performed at the workplace without special equipment and can elicit a subjective improvement in fatigue and anxiety in workers.