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Fall 2005 |
A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF RELAXATION AND BIOFEEDBACKASSISTED RELAXATION ON PATIENTS WITH MILD HYPERTENSION
Abstract
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide.
Because of its chronicity, hypertension requires life-long therapy. Many patients tend to
discontinue therapy and seek alternative treatments. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy
of two behavioral therapeutic techniques, namely relaxation and biofeedback-assisted
relaxation in reducing blood pressure.
METHODS: Fifty-six mildly hypertensive men (aged between 30 and 60 years) who did not
use any pharmacological treatment, took part in this study. The participants were randomly
divided into three groups, relaxation (group one), biofeedback-assisted relaxation (group
two) and control (group three). The treatment course consisted of ten sessions (every other
day). Relaxation was performed in groups one and two for 15 minutes during each session.
In group 2, for another 15 minutes at the end of each relaxation session, blood pressure was
measured at 2- to 3-minute intervals and declared to the patient. Heart rate and blood
pressure were measured and recorded before and after each session. In the control group,
only blood pressure was measured at each session. Stress was measured using Malekpoor
questionnaire with 67% validity. Anxiety was measured by Ketel's questionnaire. The
patients filled stress and anxiety questionnaires before and after the study period (20 days).
RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased after the study period in
groups one and two. There was a significant difference between groups one and three
(P<0.05) and between groups two and three (P<0.05).
DISCUSSION: Relaxation and biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques can reduce
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hence their benefits in the treatment of hypertension
can be used in appropriate settings.
A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF RELAXATION AND BIOFEEDBACKASSISTED
RELAXATION ON PATIENTS WITH MILD HYPERTENSION
Keywords • Relaxation • Biofeedback-assisted relaxation • Anxiety • Stress • Hypertension
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide.
Because of its chronicity, hypertension requires life-long therapy. Many patients tend to
discontinue therapy and seek alternative treatments. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy
of two behavioral therapeutic techniques, namely relaxation and biofeedback-assisted
relaxation in reducing blood pressure.
METHODS: Fifty-six mildly hypertensive men (aged between 30 and 60 years) who did not
use any pharmacological treatment, took part in this study. The participants were randomly
divided into three groups, relaxation (group one), biofeedback-assisted relaxation (group
two) and control (group three). The treatment course consisted of ten sessions (every other
day). Relaxation was performed in groups one and two for 15 minutes during each session.
In group 2, for another 15 minutes at the end of each relaxation session, blood pressure was
measured at 2- to 3-minute intervals and declared to the patient. Heart rate and blood
pressure were measured and recorded before and after each session. In the control group,
only blood pressure was measured at each session. Stress was measured using Malekpoor
questionnaire with 67% validity. Anxiety was measured by Ketel's questionnaire. The
patients filled stress and anxiety questionnaires before and after the study period (20 days).
RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased after the study period in
groups one and two. There was a significant difference between groups one and three
(P<0.05) and between groups two and three (P<0.05).
DISCUSSION: Relaxation and biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques can reduce
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hence their benefits in the treatment of hypertension
can be used in appropriate settings.
A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF RELAXATION AND BIOFEEDBACKASSISTED
RELAXATION ON PATIENTS WITH MILD HYPERTENSION
Keywords • Relaxation • Biofeedback-assisted relaxation • Anxiety • Stress • Hypertension
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