Technique could improve sleep and reduce stress

Researchers in the US have developed a new technique that takes only ten minutes but is able to both reduce stress levels and improve the quality of sleep an individual has.

A team from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, used the ten-minute Tension Tamer on 334 patients in a heart health programme.

The plan involves deep breathing and imagery using the subject's personal preference and was found by the study to improve perceived stress by 6.6 points in 65 per cent of those who took part in the research.

Better sleep quality, decreased sleep latency and decreased fatigue were all also reported by the researchers at CHEST 2012, which is the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians and is taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, from October 20th to 25th.

Clinical care-focused tracks are among the features being enjoyed by attendees at this year's event.

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