Abstract
Objective: To analyze the effects of Jacobson's muscle relaxation therapy on anxious individuals. Methods: Integrative review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol. The search was carried out in the databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrievel System Online (PubMed) / MEDLINE), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), in the period of August and September 2019. The evaluation of the quality of the studies was assessed by the level of evidence according to the Oxford Center for Evidence-based Medicine. The critical analysis of the extracted information and the qualitative synthesis of the selected studies were carried out descriptively. Results: thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. In general, the results revealed a positive effect of Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation technique in reducing anxiety symptoms in the population. Individuals with several chronic pathologies who received muscle relaxation had reduced anxiety symptoms. Final considerations: Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation is noted as an effective method to assist in reducing anxiety symptoms, as well as improving the quality of life and recovering the health of the user.