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PMREvidence & Dosage

The Jacobson technique — sensing and releasing bodily tension.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
285
With abstract
50
Meta / Systematic / RCT
149
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1984–2026

PMR in the context of Recovery

This topic is part of our "Recovery" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on PMR

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Comorbid With Psychiatric and Medical Conditions: A Meta-analysis.

    JAMA Intern Med2015n=37Meta-Analysis188 influential citations

    <h4>Importance</h4>Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the most prominent nonpharmacologic treatment for insomnia disorders. Although meta-analyses have examined primary insomnia, less is known about the comparative…

  2. Effects of relaxation interventions during pregnancy on maternal mental health, and pregnancy and newborn outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PLoS One2024Meta-Analysis107 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Stress during pregnancy is detrimental to maternal health, pregnancy and birth outcomes and various preventive relaxation interventions have been developed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate…

  3. Effectiveness of inpatient dialectical behavioral therapy for borderline personality disorder: a controlled trial.

    Behav Res Ther2004n=19Clinical Trial80 influential citations

    Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was initially developed and evaluated as an outpatient treatment program for chronically suicidal individuals meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Within the last few years,…

  4. Three treatments for teachers with voice disorders: a randomized clinical trial.

    J Speech Lang Hear Res2003RCT78 influential citations

    Voice problems are a common occupational hazard of teaching school, yet few studies exist that have objectively evaluated treatment approaches aimed at rehabilitating these occupation-related voice disorders. This randomized clinical trial…

  5. Non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane reviews.

    Cochrane Database Syst Rev2025n=97,183Meta-Analysis77 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Low back pain (LBP) is a significant public health issue due to its high prevalence and associated disability burden. Clinical practice guidelines recommend non-pharmacological/non-surgical interventions for managing…

  6. The effects of respiratory sinus arrhythmia biofeedback on heart rate variability and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: a pilot study.

    Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback2009n=38RCT76 influential citations

    Recent studies have found a significant association between PTSD and low heart rate variability (HRV), a biomarker of autonomic dysregulation. Research indicates that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback increases HRV while…

  7. A randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy for multiple sclerosis fatigue.

    Psychosomatic medicine2008n=7274 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) fatigue.<h4>Methods</h4>A randomized controlled design was used where 72 patients with…

  8. Differential effects of mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and loving-kindness meditation on decentering and negative reactions to repetitive thoughts.

    Behav Res Ther2010n=190RCT74 influential citations

    Decentering has been proposed as a potential mechanism of mindfulness-based interventions but has received limited empirical examination to date in experimental studies comparing mindfulness meditation to active comparison conditions. In…

  9. Physical relaxation for occupational stress in healthcare workers: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    J Occup Health2021Meta-Analysis74 influential citations

    Objectives Work related stress is a major occupational health problem that is associated with adverse effects on physical and mental health. Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable in the era of COVID-19. Physical methods of stress…

  10. The efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

    Int J Nurs Stud2024Meta-Analysis65 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients, usually accompanied by anxiety, depression and insomnia, which seriously affect patients' quality of life. Progressive muscle relaxation…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) (Not reported)
Are there safety considerations for PMR?
• Not reported • Heated back wrap may cause skin pinkness. • Acupuncture had no clear safety difference vs sham acupuncture. • Massage had no clear safety difference vs usual care.

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