Key result
Relaxation therapy lowers blood pressure most effectively when combining cognitive-behavioral strategies and experienced therapists.
Why the study?
Efficacy of relaxation therapy in reducing mildly elevated blood pressure has been reported, but its effectiveness in everyday clinical practice is uncertain.
Does relaxation or stress reduction therapy reduce blood pressure in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure?
Does relaxation or stress reduction therapy reduce blood pressure in patients with mildly elevated blood pressure?
Relaxation therapy for hypertension is most effective when combining relaxation with behavioral and cognitive strategies, delivered by experienced therapists to motivated patients.
May support combined approaches in selected motivated patients; leaves open efficacy for mild hypertension in broader populations.
Non‐pharmacological measures are gaining popularity in the reduction of mildly elevated blood pressure. Their efficacy has been reported in a number of controlled trials. However, efficacy does not automatically ensure effectiveness in everyday clinical practice. Three main factors are likely to determine the effectiveness of relaxation or stress reduction therapy (relaxation techniques plus stress management strategies): 1) the efficacy of the treatment, 2) the characteristics of the therapists and 3) the characteristics of the patients to whom the treatment is applied. Reviewing the literature, and our own studies, we conclude that therapy is more likely to be effective if it includes relaxation techniques as well as behavioural and cognitive strategies, taught by an experienced and committed therapist to highly motivated patients living in favourable family and social surroundings.
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Patel et al. (1988) conducted a review in hypertension. relaxation or stress reduction therapy was evaluated. Relaxation therapy for hypertension is more likely to be effective in clinical practice if it combines relaxation techniques with behavioral and cognitive strategies, taught by experienced therapists.
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