Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of using paraprofessional trainers in teaching students with tension headaches to relax, thus reducing the frequency of their headaches. A technique for automated self-instructed relaxation training was compared to a paraprofessionally trained group and a no-treatment control group over a 3-week period, using 15 college students as subjects. The results of a simple-main effects trend analysis showed that both paraprofessional and self-instructing groups were effective in reducing the frequency of their headaches with no similar changes in the control group. Follow-up evaluations were completed during final exam week, the second week of the following new semester, and after termination of the program. The frequency of headaches for both experimental groups remained at rates below that of frequencies during the pretreatment week. Self-instruction and paraprofessional training appear to be effective and efficient alternatives to practitioners in view of the trend toward physiological monitoring. (Author/NRB)