Key result
Relaxation therapies resulted in small reductions in systolic blood pressure (MD -5.5 mmHg; 95% CI -8.2 to -2.8) compared to control, though evidence is weak due to poor trial quality.
Why the study?
Do relaxation therapies reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in adults with primary hypertension?
Meta-Analysis (n=1,198)
Do relaxation therapies reduce blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in adults with primary hypertension?
Mean Difference: -5.5 (95% CI -8.2–-2.8)
The evidence supporting a causal association between relaxation therapies and clinically meaningful blood pressure reduction in primary hypertension is weak due to poor methodological quality of existing trials.
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May modestly lower BP in mild hypertension; extends RCT evidence but leaves CV outcomes open.
Dickinson et al. (2008) conducted a meta-analysis in Primary hypertension (n=1,198). Relaxation therapies vs. No active treatment or sham therapy was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD -5.5, 95% CI -8.2 to -2.8). Relaxation therapies resulted in small reductions in systolic blood pressure (MD -5.5 mmHg; 95% CI -8.2 to -2.8) compared to control, though evidence is weak due to poor trial quality.
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