Relaxation Methods May Offer Short-Term Relief for High Blood Pressure

Recent pooled data analysis indicates that various relaxation techniques may help in reducing high blood pressure, at least in the short term. This finding emerges from an extensive review of existing research published in the open-access journal BMJ Medicine.

High blood pressure, which affects approximately one-third of individuals aged 30 to 79, is a significant contributor to mortality rates among both genders. While pharmaceutical options are available for treatment, their adherence remains low, prompting interest in alternative approaches like relaxation techniques to mitigate stress, a key factor in high blood pressure.

The study authors evaluated numerous relaxation methods, including breath control, mindfulness, yoga, Tai Chi, and biofeedback, to determine their effectiveness in managing high blood pressure (defined as 140/90 mm Hg and above) and elevated blood pressure (120/80 mm Hg and above). They analyzed findings from 182 studies--166 of which focused on high blood pressure and 16 on elevated blood pressure.

Utilizing network meta-analysis, a method that allows comparisons of different treatments simultaneously, the researchers found that relaxation techniques generally resulted in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels for those with high blood pressure within a three-month period. Among the most effective interventions were breath control, meditation, and various forms of meditative movement, such as yoga and Tai Chi.

Specifically, breath control was associated with a decrease of 6.65 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure, while meditation led to a reduction of 7.71 mm Hg. Meditative movements like Tai Chi and yoga yielded a more significant drop of 9.58 mm Hg, and mindfulness practices resulted in a decrease of 9.90 mm Hg. Other techniques also demonstrated positive effects, with music and progressive muscle relaxation showing reductions of 6.61 mm Hg and 7.46 mm Hg, respectively.

However, the analysis indicated no statistical evidence for the effectiveness of any relaxation technique beyond three to twelve months, with a low certainty of evidence. The most commonly examined methods during this extended period included biofeedback, yoga/Tai Chi, and progressive muscle relaxation, but their long-term benefits remain uncertain.

The researchers noted a significant gap in long-term follow-up studies, with only three included in the analysis. Results suggested that autogenic training might lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to no treatment, although the confidence in these findings is low. Other techniques evaluated did not show significant effectiveness at this timeframe.

Additionally, the review highlighted that the descriptions of relaxation methods were often incomplete, and there was a lack of data regarding associated costs and the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. Most studies did not report on cardiovascular disease risks or mortality rates, which limits the overall understanding of the potential benefits of relaxation techniques.

Despite these limitations, the researchers concluded that relaxation and stress management techniques could lead to meaningful reductions in blood pressure within a short follow-up period of up to three months. However, they cautioned against overestimating these effects due to the risk of bias in the primary studies, potential publication bias, and the imprecision of effect estimates.

The authors emphasized the chronic nature of hypertension, which often necessitates long-term medication or behavioral changes. They noted that interventions offering only short-term benefits are unlikely to be clinically useful. They called for further research to assess the long-term effects of relaxation techniques, stressing the importance of clear reporting on participant adherence to these methods throughout the study duration.