A behavioral treatment program as a therapy in the control of primary hypertension.
In order to assess the effects of a Behavioral Treatment Program in the control of primary hypertension, twenty one unmedicated hypertensives were randomly allocated to three groups: first, a treatment group (BHG) receiving a Behavioral Treatment which included: deep muscle relaxation, peripheral temperature Biofeedback and anxiety management training; second, the placebo attention control group (PHG) and third, a control group of hypertensives too (CHG). Additionally, were compared with seven normotensives subjects (CNG). The post-treatment measures showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in systolic and diastolic values only in the (BHG). In a six months follow-up the (BHG) group still showed a significant reduction in the systolic and diastolic BP (p < 0.02; p < 0.01). Moreover individual variations in response to treatment were observed in this group, (BHG).
Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología del Comportamiento, Universidad Simón Bolívar (U.S.B.) Sartenejas, Caracas, Venezuela.
E
E
Canino
R
R
Cardona
P
P
Monsalve
F
F
Pérez Acuña
B
B
López
F
F
Fragachan
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy