Controlled trial ofbiofeedback-aide d behavioural methods inreducing mildhypertension

Employeesofa largeindustry were screenedforthe presence of coronary riskfactors. A totalof 204 employees, aged35-64years, withtwo or more such factors(serumcholesterol concentration> 6-3mmol/l (243-6 mg/100ml),bloodpressure> 140/90 mm Hg,and currentcigarette consumption> 10 cigarettes a day) were randomlyallocated to a biofeedback group receiving trainingin relaxation and management of stressor a control group. Bothgroups received simple health education literature. Aftereight weeksoftraining, and againeightmonthslater, thebiofeedback group showeda significantly greaterfall insystolic anddiastolic bloodpressures than the controlgroup (p<0001). Plasmareninactivity and plasmaaldosterone concentration were measuredina subsample atentrytothe studyandagainateightweeksandeightmonths;both showeda greaterreduction inthebiofeedback compared withthecontrol group ateightweeks'follow-up. Thegreaterreduction inbloodpressure inthesubjects inthebiofeedback group comparedwiththecontrol group (110 mm Hg systolic and8-8mm Hg diastolic), persisting eightmonthsafterthetraining, suggeststhat relaxation-based behavioural methodsmightbeoffered as a first-line treatmentto patients withmildhypertension.