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Stress reduction programs in patients with elevated blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Maxwell V. RainforthEmail author
  • Robert H. Schneider
  • Sanford I. Nidich
  • Carolyn Gaylord-King
  • John W. Salerno
  • James W. Anderson
Article
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Abstract

Substantial evidence indicates that psychosocial stress contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous meta-analyses of stress reduction and high blood pressure (BP) were outdated and/or methodologically limited. Therefore, we conducted an updated systematic review of the published literature and identified 107 studies on stress reduction and BP. Seventeen trials with 23 treatment comparisons and 960 participants with elevated BP met criteria for well-designed randomized controlled trials and were replicated within intervention categories. Meta-analysis was used to calculate BP changes for biofeedback, −0.8/−2.0 mm Hg (P = NS); relaxation-assisted biofeedback, +4.3/+2.4 mm Hg (P = NS); progressive muscle relaxation, −1.9/−1.4 mm Hg (P = NS); stress management training, −2.3/−1.3 mm (P = NS); and the Transcendental Meditation program, −5.0/−2.8 mm Hg (P = 0.002/0.02). Available evidence indicates that among stress reduction approaches, the Transcendental Meditation program is associated with significant reductions in BP. Related data suggest improvements in other CVD risk factors and clinical outcomes.

Keywords

Blood Pressure Reduction Stress Reduction Blood Pressure Change Meditation Practice Relaxation Training 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Current Medicine Group LLC 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Maxwell V. Rainforth
    • 1
    Email author
  • Robert H. Schneider
  • Sanford I. Nidich
  • Carolyn Gaylord-King
  • John W. Salerno
  • James W. Anderson
  1. 1.Institute for Natural Medicine and PreventionMaharishi University of ManagementMaharishi Vedic CityUSA

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