Failure of psychological interventions to lower blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Previous studies have suggested that psychological interventions may be effective in reducing blood pressure. Using rigorous methodology and 24-hour monitoring of ambulatory blood pressure, we compared 2 psychological interventions with treatment using a first-line antihypertensive drug in terms of their efficacy in lowering blood pressure in patients with mild primary hypertension.

Methods

In this prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT), 65 adult patients with mild, uncomplicated hypertension were randomly assigned to receive one of the following interventions for 12 weeks: (1) pharmacotherapy with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 titrated to 25 mg/d ; (2) individualized behavioural psychotherapy, consisting of ten 1-hour sessions of stress reduction tr

SUBMITTER: Perez MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2765772 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature