Psychological Model for Treatment of Hypertension

The development of hypertension or high blood pressure defined as systolic blood pressure averaging 140 mmHg (mmHG stands for millimeters of mercury--the standard units used to measure blood pressure) or greater, and/or diastolic blood pressure averaging 90 mmHg or greater, has been linked to certain lifestyle factors, including poor diet and lack of exercise. Hypertension is also correlated with certain psychological factors, including anger, stress, anxiety, depression and other negative emotional states. The psychological model for treatment of hypertension typically involves one or a combination of the following components: biofeedback, autogenic training, and/or meditation.

Biofeedback

• The biological feedback method or biofeedback, as defined by the University of Maryland Medical Center, is a technique that trains people to improve their health by controlling certain bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily, such as heart rate and breathing. In the treatment of biofeedback for hypertension, electrodes attached to the patient's skin measure blood pressure levels, while a biofeedback therapist leads the patient through mental exercises. Through trial and error, the patient learns to identify the mental activities that result in lower blood pressure. Biofeedback therapy for hypertension typically requires 20 weekly sessions before the patient starts to see results.

Autogenic Training

• Autogenic training is another technique used in the psychological model for treatment of hypertension, which, like biofeedback, teaches the patient to synchronize the mind and body, so the body will relax in response to a specific mental activity. Autogenic training consists of six standard exercises that make the body feel relaxed. Patients learn these exercises by observing a teacher's demonstration or by reading about them on their own, then practicing them alone for a few minutes, several times day. According to WebMD, it typically takes four to six months to master all six exercises.

Meditation

• Meditation is also a tool that can be used to treat high blood pressure from a psychological approach. Specifically, transcendental meditation (TM) is a type of meditation often used in the treatment of hypertension. TM involves the repetition of a word or phrase (known as a mantra) while seated comfortably with the eyes closed. This practice emphasizes muscle relaxation, deep breathing and a focused effort to clear the mind of distracting thoughts. According to WebMD, TM can be practiced in a guided setting or alone, and to achieve a therapeutic benefit, most practitioners suggest it be practiced for 20 minutes at a time, twice a day.

Effectiveness of Autogenic Training and Biofeedback

• One study showed the effectiveness of both autogenic training and biofeedback in managing hypertension, with both therapies producing similar results. In a Russian study published in the journal "Kardiologiia" in 1986, a group of 80 hypertension patients were divided into three groups: one which practiced autogenic training, another using biofeedback and a no-treatment control group. One year later, decline in blood pressure was significantly more marked in the former two groups, as compared to the controls. Comparison of the efficiency of autogenic training and biofeedback showed no differences between the two treatment methods.

Effectiveness of Meditation and Biofeedback

• Another study shows the effectiveness of both meditation and biofeedback to lower blood pressure. The study also indicates that a combination of the two therapies may provide a greater benefit than just one of the treatments. In an Australian study published in "Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback" in 1982, 21 hypertension patients were randomly assigned to eight one-hour sessions of either meditation training, meditation plus biofeedback-aided relaxation or a no-treatment control group. Statistically significant falls in systolic and diastolic blood pressure occurred after both training programs, although the meditation plus biofeedback group registered falls in diastolic blood pressure earlier in the program than the meditation-only group.