Relaxation techniques for depressive disorders in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Summary & key facts

This review combined nine randomized controlled trials and found that relaxation techniques were associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms in adults. The pooled effect size was a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.42 (95% CI -0.72 to -0.11, p = 0.008). The authors say these techniques are low-risk, low-cost, easy to learn, and may give benefits when practised daily for more than eight weeks.

Key facts:

• The meta-analysis included nine randomized controlled trials of adults with depressive disorders.
• The pooled effect was SMD = -0.42, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.11, p = 0.008, meaning people who used relaxation techniques had lower depression scores on average than controls.
• An SMD of -0.42 corresponds to a modest change of about 0.4 standard deviations in depressive symptom scores between groups.
• The authors describe relaxation techniques as cost-effective, safe, and low-risk methods that can be easily taught and used.
• The paper notes potential benefits when relaxation is practised daily for more than an 8-week period, as stated by the authors.
• Only nine trials were available for the analysis, so the authors present the result as a possible effect (they say relaxation techniques "might" effectively reduce depressive symptoms).

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify, evaluate, and synthesise existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effect of relaxation techniques in the treatment of patients with depressive disorders.Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines.Results: Nine studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. It was found that relaxation techniques might effectively reduce depressive symptoms among adults with depression (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.42, 95% CI -0.72 to -0.11, p = 0.008).Conclusions: Relaxation techniques are cost-effective, safe, and low-risk techniques that can be easily taught and used. Consequently, they have several benefits if practised regularly daily for more than an 8-week period.KEY POINTS/HIGHLIGHTSThe implication of this study for practice is that these relaxation techniques, cost-effective, safe, and low-risk techniques that can be easily taught and used.Consequently, practitioners will access benefits if practised regularly daily for more than an 8-week period.The relaxation technique is not complex, does not need any special device or place, does not need any change in lifestyle and is easily learned.

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Treatment of Major Depression

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Pharmacology

Tags

Clinical psychology Depression (economics) Economics Internal medicine Law Macroeconomics Medicine MEDLINE Meta-analysis Neuroscience Political science Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapist Randomized controlled trial Relaxation (psychology) Systematic review

Conditions & symptoms

Depression Sadness or low mood