Optimizing the Efficacy of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Using Placebo Mechanisms in an Guided and Unguided Online-intervention

Participants watch a video aiming to optimize participants' expectations before undergoing a single PMR session without personal support of the experimenter (unguided). The PMR session involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.

Participants watch a video aiming to optimize participants' expectations before undergoing a single PMR session with the personal support of the experimenter (guided). The PMR session involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.

Participants watch a neutral video (not aiming to optimize participants' expectations) before undergoing a single PMR session without personal support of the experimenter (unguided). The PMR session involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.

Participants watch a neutral video (not aiming to optimize participants' expectations) before undergoing a single PMR session with the personal support of the experimenter (guided).The PMR session involves learning to monitor tension in each specific muscle group in the body by deliberately inducing tension in each group. This tension is then released, with attention paid to the contrast between tension and relaxation.