New plan could reduce the need for antihypertensive drugs -
It could be really mind over matter, after all. Richard Josephson University Hospitals Case Medical Center, MD, recently published the results of tests in a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine dealing with stress reduction Mindfulness (MBSR ) for hypertension.
About 60 million adults in the US have high blood pressure in pre-hypertensive range. Current guidelines recommend lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise and overall weight loss.
According to the new study, these changes can be considerably increased by the MBSR method includes stress reduction, meditation for depression and anxiety and structured treatment management program.
The blind trial included nearly 100 patients between 30-60 years who were not taking medication for pre-or hypertension. The study was conducted with Joel Hughes PhD, associate professor of psychology at Kent State University.
"It was one of the first prospective randomized trials of MBSR as a nonpharmocologic treatment option," said study author Dr. Josephson, director of cardiac intensive care and cardiovascular and pulmonary Rehabilitation in Heart & Vascular Institute and professor of UH Harrington Medicince at the medical school of Case Western Reserve University.
"We are optimistic about its potential as a result of the findings and hope that other tests may be conducted to further evaluate the effectiveness of MBSR as it could have broad applications for multiple diseases."
stress reduction program mindfulness has eight group sessions that were 2.5 hours in duration and consecutive weeks. The MBSR included instruction and practice in mindfulness meditation skills and the discussion of stress, coping and duties designed for patients to document their mood and anxiety levels.
A therapist participated in exercises with the group and guided them through analysis of body exercise where participants "inventoried" how they felt in all parts of their bodies, sitting meditation and yoga. The trial required participants to practice every 45 minutes, six days a week.
The Acting arm trial involved only progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) which included the tension and release specific muscle groups and duties designed to mimic session time exercises.
MBSR has resulted in substantial and statistically significant reductions in the main results, a reduction of 4.8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 1.9 mm Hg reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) when measured in the clinic. PMR has only led to a reduction of 0.7 mm in SBP and a 1.2 mm Hg in DBP. MBSR has not resulted in a greater decrease than PMR pressure measured outside the clinic by instructors scheduled during the day or during sleep.
"This could prove to be a supplement for people with poorly controlled blood pressure," said Dr. Josephson. "It could also potentially decrease the need for medication as the only options to optimize blood pressure levels."
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