Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise
Gary E. Schwartz, Richard J. Davidson, Daniel J. Goleman
Psychosomatic Medicine June 1, 1978 DOI: 10.1097/00006842-197806000-00004 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAnxiety comprises both cognitive (worry) and somatic (bodily tension) components, and different relaxation techniques may target these components differently. In a retrospective comparison of 77 people—44 who regularly practiced physical exercise and 33 who regularly practiced meditation for similar periods—those who exercised reported less somatic anxiety and more cognitive anxiety than meditators. The findings suggest that physical exercise and meditation are differentially associated with somatic and cognitive subcomponents of anxiety. The authors propose that relaxation involves both a generalized reduction across multiple physiological systems and technique-specific patterns of change. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Retrospective study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 77 |
| Population | Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation |
| Interventions | physical exercise meditation |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Relaxation psychology Somatic anxiety Somatic cell |
| Citations | 398 |
| Key finding | Physical exercise was associated with less somatic anxiety and more cognitive anxiety compared to meditation. |
Abstract
Davidson and Schwartz (1) have proposed a psychobiological analysis of anxiety that emphasizes the patterning of multiple processes in the generation and self-regulation of this state. The present article specifically reviews recent research on cognitive and somatic components of anxiety. A dual component scale which separately assesses cognitive and somatic trait anxiety is described and applied to the study of the differential effects of a somatic (physical exercise) and a cognitive (meditation) relaxation procedure. A total of 77 subjects was employed; 44 regularly practiced physical exercise and 33 regularly practiced meditation for comparable periods of time. As predicted, subjects practicing physical exercise reported relatively less somatic and more cognitive anxiety than meditators. These data suggest that specific subcomponents of anxiety may be differentially associated with relaxation techniques engaging primarily cognitive versus somatic subsystems. It is proposed that relaxation consists of (1) a generalized reduction to multiple physiological systems (termed the relaxation response by Benson) and (2) a more specific pattern of changes superimposed upon this general reduction, which is elicited by the particular techniques employed. The data from this retrospective study need to be followed up by prospective studies to establish the precise mechanisms for these effects.