Contemplative meditation reduces ambulatory blood pressure and stress-induced hypertension: a randomized pilot trial.
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.
Manikonda
J P
JP
Störk
S
S
Tögel
S
S
Lobmüller
A
A
Grünberg
I
I
Bedel
S
S
Schardt
F
F
Angermann
C E
CE
Jahns
R
R
Voelker
W
W
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