Biofeedback and relaxation in blacks with hypertension: a preliminary study.

Previous studies show that stress increases blood pressure as a response to the sympathetic nervous system and that enhancement of parasympathetic activity promotes relaxation and lowers blood pressure. This paper is based on a preliminary study of 22 black subjects with a history of hypertension who were given biofeedback and relaxation training in the Biofeedback Laboratory at Howard University College of Medicine. The guided training consisted of eight weekly sessions using five instruments. Mean blood pressure (BP) was monitored in each session using a Stoelting BP Monitor. Data based on 10 characteristics (age, number of sessions, practice score, social readjustment scale, stress symptoms, systems review, initial and last systolic and diastolic BP) are analyzed and presented in five tables. Although differences between the initial and last readings of the systolic and diastolic BPs and during the test were observed, they were not statistically significant, probably due to small sample size. Analysis was also made by grouping the patients into three groups depending on the increase, decrease, or no change in BP. All patients demonstrated that the biofeedback training was beneficial in lowering the BP. These techniques should be incorporated into daily life to have lasting benefit.