Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 5 (11-2026)
JRUMS 2026, 25(5): 517-532 |
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Ethics code: IR.PNU.REC.1403.627
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Hakimi nezhad E, Ayashm M H, ali bakhshi S Z. Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Training on Enhancing Emotion Regulation, Self-Control, and Reducing Overweight in Women with Emotional Eating: A Semi-Experimental Study. , JRUMS. 2026; 25 (5) :517-532
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-8012-en.html
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-8012-en.html
Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (77 Views)
Background and Objectives: Emotional eating is a major contributor to overweight in women, often associated with deficits in emotion regulation and self-control. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), as a non-pharmacological intervention, can improve these variables by reducing physiological and psychological tension. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of PMR training on emotion regulation, self-control, and weight reduction in women with emotional eating.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included women with emotional eating referring to counseling centers in Khorramabad during 2023–2024. Thirty individuals were purposively selected and randomly assigned to two groups (15 experimental, 15 control). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90-minute progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) education, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. The instruments included Gross and John emotion regulation questionnaires, Tangney self-control, Dutch emotional eating, and body mass index. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).
Results: PMR significantly increased cognitive reappraisal (P<0.001, Effect size η²= 0.342), decreased expressive suppression (P<0.001, η²=0.278), increased self-control (P<0.001, η²=0.222), and reduced BMI (P<0.001, η²=0.186). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant overall difference between the groups (P=0.002, Statistical power=0.428).
Conclusion: PMR training is an effective and low-cost intervention used to improve emotion regulation, self-control, and reduce excess weight in women with emotional eating. Despite promising findings, further research is required to draw definitive conclusions about its clinical effectiveness.
Keywords: Emotional eating, Emotional regulation, Overweight, Progressive muscle relaxation, Self-control
Funding: This study did not receive any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical Considerations (Code of Ethics): The Ethics Committee of Payam Noor University Islamshahr branch approved the study (IR.PNU.REC.1403.627).
Authors’ contributions
- Conceptualization: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayasham, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Methodology: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Data collection: Elham Hakimi Nezhad
- Formal analysis: Mohammad Hossein Ayashm
- Supervision: Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Project administration: Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Writing – original draft: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm
- Writing – review & editing: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included women with emotional eating referring to counseling centers in Khorramabad during 2023–2024. Thirty individuals were purposively selected and randomly assigned to two groups (15 experimental, 15 control). The experimental group received 8 sessions of 90-minute progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) education, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. The instruments included Gross and John emotion regulation questionnaires, Tangney self-control, Dutch emotional eating, and body mass index. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).
Results: PMR significantly increased cognitive reappraisal (P<0.001, Effect size η²= 0.342), decreased expressive suppression (P<0.001, η²=0.278), increased self-control (P<0.001, η²=0.222), and reduced BMI (P<0.001, η²=0.186). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant overall difference between the groups (P=0.002, Statistical power=0.428).
Conclusion: PMR training is an effective and low-cost intervention used to improve emotion regulation, self-control, and reduce excess weight in women with emotional eating. Despite promising findings, further research is required to draw definitive conclusions about its clinical effectiveness.
Keywords: Emotional eating, Emotional regulation, Overweight, Progressive muscle relaxation, Self-control
Funding: This study did not receive any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical Considerations (Code of Ethics): The Ethics Committee of Payam Noor University Islamshahr branch approved the study (IR.PNU.REC.1403.627).
Authors’ contributions
- Conceptualization: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayasham, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Methodology: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Data collection: Elham Hakimi Nezhad
- Formal analysis: Mohammad Hossein Ayashm
- Supervision: Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Project administration: Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
- Writing – original draft: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm
- Writing – review & editing: Elham Hakimi Nezhad, Mohammad Hossein Ayashm, Seyedeh Zahra Alibakhshi
Keywords: Emotional eating, Emotional regulation, Overweight, Progressive muscle relaxation, Self-control
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Environmental Health
Received: 2026/06/7 | Accepted: 2026/10/12 | Published: 2026/11/19
Received: 2026/06/7 | Accepted: 2026/10/12 | Published: 2026/11/19
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