Efectividad comparativa del mindfulness y la relajación progresiva de Jacobson en la reducción de la sintomatología ansiosa en adultos: Revisión sistemática a partir de la experiencia práctica

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the comparative effectiveness of Mindfulness and Jacobson's Progressive Muscle Relaxation in reducing anxiety symptoms in adults, through a systematic literature review and its practical application in a clinical case. Based on the experience gained during Practicum 4.1, anxiety was identified as one of the primary issues in the adult population, which guided the focus of this systematization toward comparing both techniques. The systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, included six randomized controlled trials with a total of 1,739 participants, published between 2017 and 2025. The findings demonstrate that both interventions are effective in reducing generalized anxiety, though current data do not establish the superiority of one over the other; their differences lie in their mechanisms of action: Progressive Relaxation acts predominantly on the somatic pathway, whereas Mindfulness impacts cognitive processes such as rumination and experiential avoidance. These results were integrated into the analysis of a clinical case of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, providing the foundation for designing a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy intervention protocol that strategically combines both techniques.