Psychologic Conflict and Neuromuscular Tension

Abstract

A preliminary report on the relation between muscle tension and psychological conflict. Primary emphasis is given to the development of a satisfactory technic and to testing the hypothesis that the mobilization of aggressive impulses characteristic of certain psychosomatic patients is reflected in increased muscular tension. Bilateral electromyographic recordings were taken from the flexor and extensor groups of muscles in the forearm, and from the gastrocnemius and peroneal muscles of the lower extremities. The following groups of subjects were tested: 6 control subjects; 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing psychoanalytic therapy; 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis not undergoing psychoanalysis; 6 patients with hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The muscular tensions in these groups in response to an exptl. routine are compared. The control group of subjects and the group with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing psychoanalytic treatment showed less muscle tension than the other 2 groups. Patients who were suffering from hypertension or rheumatoid arthritis and who were undergoing psychoanalysis showed significantly less muscle tension than patients having the same complaints and not receiving analytic therapy.