Coronary risk factor reduction through biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation.

The effects of behaviour modification through education and biofeedback-aided relaxation and meditation on the levels of blood pressure, pulse rate, smoking habits as well as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids were studied in 18 normotensive, 18 smoking, and 22 hypertensive patients with 18 normotensive controls.The results showed significant reduction in blood pressure, in all the treated groups; highly significant reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked by smokers; and reduction in some of the lipids in all the treated groups, but particularly in the hypertensive group. The therapy appears to be feasible and suitable for wider application. This approach is economical, acceptable to patients, and should be explored further.