title: Contemplative meditation reduces ambulatory blood pressure and stress-induced hypertension: a randomized pilot trial.
abstract: A total of 52 pharmacologically untreated subjects with essential hypertension were randomly allocated to either 8 weeks of contemplative meditation combined with breathing techniques (CMBT) or no intervention in this observer-blind controlled pilot trial. CMBT induced clinically relevant and consistent decreases in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure if measured during office readings, 24-h ambulatory monitoring and mental stress test. Longer-term studies should evaluate CMBT as an antihypertensive strategy.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Manikonda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Störk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tögel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lobmüller
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grünberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bedel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schardt
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Angermann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jahns
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Voelker
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013315:Stress, Psychological