Key result
Relaxation and stress management techniques reduce systolic blood pressure by ~8 mmHg.
Why the study?
Current NICE guidelines identify inadequate evidence for the clinical significance of relaxation therapy effects on adults with hypertension.
Do relaxation and stress management techniques reduce systolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension?
Meta-Analysis
Do relaxation and stress management techniques reduce systolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension?
Relaxation and stress management techniques are associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure, but the evidence is of very low certainty and does not show differences based on whether interventions have ceased or are ongoing.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports RSMT consideration for BP lowering; confirms efficacy via meta-analysis of available trials.
Objective: Current NICE guidelines identify inadequate evidence for the clinical significance of relaxation therapy effects on adults with hypertension. This review aims to investigate the persistence of effects on blood pressure after practice of relaxation and stress management techniques (RSMTs) have ceased, by performing a subgroup meta-analysis. Method: The primary outcome was the mean difference of change-from-baseline in intervention and comparator systolic blood pressure. The overall and subgroup effects were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis, with the subgroups defined by whether the outcome was measured during or after the intervention. Results: There were 81 included studies from the 179 screened. Overall, RSMTs produced a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 8.20 mmHg (95% CI: 6.20-10.20 mmHg). There was not enough evidence to support a subgroup effect (during: -8.62 mmHg (95% CI: -10.74 to -6.49), after: -7.41 mmHg (95% CI: -11.60 to -3.22); p = 0.60). The certainty of evidence is very low due to concerns with inconsistency, risk of bias and publication bias. Conclusion: We have very low certainty that RSMTs lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in systolic blood pressure, and there is little evidence to support any difference in effects based on whether interventions have ceased or were ongoin
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Laurence Ning (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Hypertension. Relaxation and stress management techniques (RSMTs) vs. Comparator (unspecified) was evaluated on Mean difference of change-from-baseline in intervention and comparator systolic blood pressure (MD 8.20 mmHg reduction, 95% CI 6.20-10.20, p=0.60 for subgroup effect). Relaxation and stress management techniques reduced systolic blood pressure by 8.20 mmHg, with no significant difference whether effects were measured during or after cessation.
Synapse has enriched 8 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: