[Effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention on blood pressure of hypertensive elderly subjects].
BACKGROUND
Cognitive and behavior therapy can be used as an adjunct to medications to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.


OBJECTIVE
To design a brief psychological intervention for hypertensive patients and assess its effects on blood pressure.


METHODS
Thirty eight hypertensive subjects (35 women, age range 63-77 years) were studied. They were randomly divided in a control and experimental group. The latter group attended eight sessions of a cognitive-behavioral intervention, lasting two hours each, during one month. In each session, subjects were trained in relaxation techniques, cognitive modeling and psycho education. The main outcome assessed was a change in blood pressure levels.


RESULTS
In the experimental group, there was a significant reduction from baseline to the second post test assessment, in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels from 134+/-9 to 123+/-8 mmHg and from 87+/-5 to 73+/-6 mmHg, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The psychological intervention used in the present study achieved significant reductions in blood pressure levels in this group of hypertensive subjects.
Moreno B
Mónica
M
Escuela de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Contreras R
Daniela
D
Martínez S
Natalia
N
Araya G
Patricia
P
Livacic-Rojas
Pablo
P
Vera-Villarro
Pablo
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome