Schizophrenia and Progressive Muscle Relaxation – A systematic review of effectiveness

Abstract

Objective We perform a systematically search, appraise and synthesize of the best available evidence on the effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) in the adults with schizophrenia, in any setting, regarding anxiety, personal and social functioning, cognition, and well-being. Method Major databases were searched to find both published and unpublished studies from inception until April 2017, using Schizophren* AND Relax* as keywords, and studies published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, Italian, French were considered for inclusion in this review. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Results From a total of 1172 studies, five studies, involving 216 adults with schizophrenia, met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review after assessment of their methodological quality. These studies reported benefits in experimental group participants after PMR intervention on anxiety (assessed with State anxiety inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory), well-being (assessed with Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale) and personal and social functioning (assessed with Sheehan Disability Scale and Therapist Rating Scale). Conclusions Evidence suggests that PMR was effective in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, except in one study where was only effective when combined with education. Thus, PMR may be useful to decrease state anxiety, improve well-being and social functioning in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, due to the diversity of clinical intervention designs of PMR (different number and length of sessions) and outcome assessment scales, no strong evidence was found in this systematic review.

Role of psychomotricity in the management of body image disorders in schizophrenia: case report

“…out of 1172 selected studies retained 05 studies which showed (on 216 patients) a significant improvement on anxiety, well-being and social functioning. These results were achieved through progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) [ 8 ]. Lastly, in Taiwan [ 9 ], 80 patients in a psychiatric ward were separated into two groups.…”

El efecto de la relajación muscular progresiva en la reducción del síndrome de las piernas inquietas entre los pacientes sometidos a hemodiálisis en una unidad periférica en Indonesia

“…There are several kind of relaxation methods, namely: (1) muscle relaxation, (2) diaphragmatic breathing, (3) imagery training, (4) biofeedback, and (5) hypnosis 12 . Progressive muscle relaxation is the cheapest method of relaxation, requires no imagination, has no side effects, is easy to do, and can make the body and mind feel calm, relaxed, and easier to sleep 13 . A previous study reported that progressive muscle relaxation can improve the sleep quality in patients undergoing hemodialysis 13 .…”

The Effects of Progressive Muscular Relaxation on Novice Archers’ State Anxiety, Heart Rate and Performance Scores

“…During that time, participants do not practice the PMR techniques, thus the effects obtained from PMR may have subsided by then. Nonetheless, PMR may be useful to decrease state anxiety, improve well-being and social functioning in adults especially with clinically mental illness (Melo-Dias et al, 2019).…”