| Titel: | Behavioral Therapies of Hypertension: Psychotherapy, Biofeedback, and Relaxation/Meditation |
|---|---|
| Autor: | Stainbrook, Gene L. Hoffman, John W. Benson, Herbe |
| Mediengruppe: | journal article |
| Herausgeber: | --- |
| Zeitschrift: | International Review of Applied Psychology |
| Jahr: | 1983 |
| Band: | 32 |
| Heft: | 2 |
| Seiten: | 119-135 |
| Sprache: | English |
| Abstract: | Supportive psychotherapy (SPT), biofeedback (BFB), and relaxation/meditation (RM) training have all been shown to have utility in the treatment of hypertension. Currently, the greatest amount of support for clinical efficacy exists for RM techniques that elicit the relaxation response. In terms of treatment outcome, durability, and cost effectiveness, RM training appears preferable to both SPT and BFB. However, BFB may be useful in some patients if it is used along with RM training. The regular elicitation of the relaxation response in RM lowers blood pressure in both medicated and nonmedicated patients. It is unlikely that elicitation of the relaxation response alone will prove sufficient as a therapy for severe or moderate hypertension, but it is probably valuable as an adjunctive therapy in these cases. Furthermore, in mild borderline and labile hypertension, it offers a potential alternative to pharmacotherapy. It may be particularly useful in the therapy of hypertension that appears early in life. It is argued that it is necessary to establish a better understanding of the mechanism(s) through which blood pressure is reduced and to develop guidelines for tailoring approaches to the needs and abilities of individuals in order to increase initial acceptance and to assure long-term compliance. (French abstract) (66 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |