Samenvatting

BACKGROUND On the psychiatric department of the Zaans Medisch Centrum, respiration and relaxation is offered as PMT- activity. However, patients who suffer from psychotic symptoms are not allowed to participate, despite the fact that multiple researches have proven these exercises can be beneficial for psychotic patients. These researches in fact did reduce for instance stress and can therefore contribute in the treatment of schizophrenia.

METHOD A longitudinal, pre- experimental intervention study. For three weeks, daily exercises with progressive muscle relaxation through Jacobsens method have to be performed during a 25 minute cd- recording. Three times a day stress will be monitored using a stressthermometer, a scale which is comparable with a VAS-score. This will show whether the exercise reduce stress on short term and whether it has long term effects as well.

RESULTS None of the participants completed the intervention. 17% decided not to participate, 33% did not do the exercises during the first week and decided to stop their participation, 50% broke all contact after the start of the research.

CONCLUSION It remains unclear what the effects of progressive muscle relaxation exercises are on stress. What can be said is that during a clinical admission these exercises can be beneficial for these patients. However, many patients will, possibly due to symptoms of schizophrenia, not continue these exercises at home.