Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Treating Hypertension
These authors reviewed studies of the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on systolic and diastolic blood pressure among individuals with prehypertension or hypertension. Seven randomized controlled trials with 429 participants were included. Weak evidence was found for a significant positive effect of MBSR on systolic but not diastolic blood pressure when compared to waitlist controls. In these studies, systolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 11 mmHg more in those who participated in MBSR than those who did not. Compared to active control groups, weak evidence was found for a significant positive effect of MBSR on diastolic but not systolic blood pressure. In these studies, diastolic blood pressure decreased by an average of 5.5 mmHg more in those who participated in MBSR than those who did not. The authors concluded that MBSR may be an option for lowering blood pressure in people with prehypertension to hypertension. However, more studies are needed to confirm their findings.
Geiger C, Cramer H, Dobos G, Kohl-Heckl WK. Journal of Human Hypertension 37, 161–169 (2023).
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