Mind-body practices for hypertension: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the most common reason for office visits to physicians for non-pregnant adults in the United States. There is increasing evidence demonstrating psychosocial factors as risks for hypertension. Nearly three million people are estimated to have tried mind-body techniques for the treatment of hypertension; approximately eight percent of the hypertensive population. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of mind-body therapies (MBT) versus placebo or active control in the treatment of hypertension. The main outcome measures include change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure pre- and post-intervention period. SEARCH STRATEGY: Relevant trials were identified in the register of trials maintained by the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Registry, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and CINAHL. RESULTS: Mind-body therapies: A total of nine published trials of 480 hypertensives satisfied inclusion criteria. Mind-body therapies significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure with high statistical heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses of imagery was inconclusive, while six meditation trials of 323 hypertensives demonstrated significant reductions in systolic but not diastolic blood pressure. Yoga interventions significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: It remains unclear what quantitative benefits that mind-body therapies can bring for hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, generally positive effects are seen with no mention of adverse effects or interactions. Further research is needed. Mind-body interventions may be prudent choices for adjunctive treatment for motivated patients.