Evidence-based Practice - Research on progressive muscle relaxation

As with many topics, progressive muscle relaxation could do with further research in many domains to establish where it is most effective and where perhaps other interventions would be more effective.
However, studies have been carried out which prove progressive muscle relaxation to be effective in reducing anxiety in a number of different psychiatric illnesses (Chen et al., 2009). Anxiety in patients with schizophrenia is commonly seen by occupational therapists in acute and community mental health settings. Chen et al. (2009) completed a randomised controlled trial on those with schizophrenia and experiencing anxiety, using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and finger temperature to measure the effectiveness of the technique. Finger temperature was used as it is proven that when someone is feeling anxious, the temperature of their extremities decreases, and increases when they feel comfortable. The results from the study demonstrated that progressive muscle relaxation can effectively alleviate anxiety in patients with schizophrenia.

This is reinforced by another study performed by Vancampfort et al. (2011) who also performed a randomised controlled trial which compared progressive muscle relaxation with resting, again in patients with schizophrenia and experiencing anxiety. Results from Vancampfort et al. (2011) provide evidence that progressive muscle relaxation not only reduces anxiety but increases subjective wellbeing in patients with schizophrenia. Vancampfort et al. (2011) conclude that they see benefit in progressive muscle relaxation being routine care to patients with schizophrenia in acute inpatient units.