Context:

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders, characterized by an exaggerated and inadequate response to a stimulus. The probability of its appearance in people with mental illness increases considerably when compared to the general population. It is imperative to implement psychotherapeutic interventions that include the relaxation technique.

Objective:

To systematize the scientific evidence on the results obtained with the use of the relaxation technique, in reducing anxiety in people with mental illness.

Methods:

Integrative literature review, through research in electronic databases (CINAHL and MEDLINE) carried out in June 2022. Applying a set of descriptors and inclusion and exclusion criteria, a final sample of 7 published studies was obtained between 2012-2022.

Results:

The analyzed scientific evidence demonstrates beneficial results in the use of the relaxation technique in reducing anxiety and psychotic symptoms in people with mental illness and should be implemented as a psychotherapeutic intervention. Technological advances (virtual reality and online programs) are a great ally to enhance their immediate effects, producing positive effects on hearing, vision and sensory, considerably improving the experience of relaxation.

Conclusions:

The results obtained reveal that the implementation of various methods of relaxation techniques (muscle, breathing, guided imagery, yoga, biofeedback, bodywareness and guided meditation) have a beneficial therapeutic potential in the immediate reduction of signs and symptoms of anxiety, being enhanced through continuous exposure to the intervention. However, its long-term effects need to be studied further.

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