Relaxation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises, improved blood pressure, reduced stress, and enhanced quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Systematic Review
Do relaxation techniques reduce stress and improve quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease and hypertension?
Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises improve psychological well-being, quality of life, and blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL). Stress, anxiety, and poor psychological well-being often exacerbate these conditions, creating a vicious cycle. Relaxation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and diaphragmatic breathing, assist in contracting and relaxing muscle groups to aid individuals in identifying and reducing physical tension and foster relaxation due to increased parasympathetic nerve activity, resulting in emotional tranquility. This systematic review explores the efficacy of relaxation techniques in reducing stress and improving QoL in patients with CVD and hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, searching five major databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, PsychINFO, and Scopus) with a search time range from 2014 to 2024. This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) 6HYG9. RESULTS: The results from several studies highlight the positive effects of relaxation techniques on both cardiovascular health and psychological well-being. Various methods, such as PMR, breathing exercises, and biofeedback, significantly reduced blood pressure (BP), anxiety, and stress levels in hypertensive and cardiovascular patients. Additionally, interventions like Benson's relaxation and jaw relaxation demonstrated improvements in patient QoL and cardiovascular health outcomes, underscoring the potential benefits of integrating relaxation techniques into treatment programs for heart-related conditions. CONCLUSIONS: By targeting both the physiological and psychological aspects of the patient's well-being, these methods contribute to improved BP regulation, reduced heart rate, and alleviation of anxiety and stress symptoms. When incorporated into cardiac rehabilitation programs, these techniques have shown positive effects on emotional well-being and overall QoL, making them a valuable tool for patients recovering from cardiovascular events or managing chronic CVD. More robust, high-quality studies are needed to refine the optimal methods, duration, and frequency of these interventions.
Calderone et al. (Thu,) conducted a systematic review in Cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Relaxation techniques was evaluated on Stress reduction and quality of life improvement. Relaxation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation and breathing exercises, improved blood pressure, reduced stress, and enhanced quality of life in patients with cardiovascular disease.