Objectives :Although Progressive Muscle Relaxation(PMR) was initially used to alleviate mental problems and stress, recently its clinical applications broadened. This article reviews PMR articles published after year 2000 to consider other fields to applicate PMR.
Methods :We searched the Pubmed, KSI, KERIS, KMBASE using "Progressive Muscle Relaxation" and classified the articles into subsets of internal medicine, pain, mental problem, cancer and evaluated their values according to the Jadad scale.
Results :A total of 18 articles reconfirmed that PMR reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, increases parasympathetic nervous system activity, thereby eliciting an antihypertensive effect, and relieves insomnia, anxiety disorder, mood disorder and depression. In addition, PMR also improved pulmonary function, reduced side effects of anti-neoplastic chemotherapy, affected endocrine and immune system, and was used in various pain related diseases.
Conclusion :PMR may be applicated on various fields, and further studies analysing its effect are needed.
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