[Effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention on blood pressure of hypertensive elderly subjects]

(Evaluación del efecto de una intervención cognitivo-conductual sobre los niveles de presión arterial en adultos mayores hipertensos bajo tratamiento médico.)

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Cognitive and behavior therapy can be used as an adjunct to medications to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

AIM:
To design a brief psychological intervention for hypertensive patients and assess its effects on blood pressure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Thirty eight hypertensive subjects (35 women, age range 63-77 years) were studied. They were randomly divided in a control and experimental group. The latter group attended eight sessions of a cognitive-behavioral intervention, lasting two hours each, during one month. In each session, subjects were trained in relaxation techniques, cognitive modeling and psycho education. The main outcome assessed was a change in blood pressure levels.

RESULTS:
In the experimental group, there was a significant reduction from baseline to the second post test assessment, in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels from 134+/-9 to 123+/-8 mmHg and from 87+/-5 to 73+/-6 mmHg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:
The psychological intervention used in the present study achieved significant reductions in blood pressure levels in this group of hypertensive subjects.

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Author information

Author/s: Moreno B, Mónica (M); Contreras R, Daniela (D); Martínez S, Natalia (N); Araya G, Patricia (P); Livacic-Rojas, Pablo (P); Vera-Villarro, Pablo (P);

Affiliation: Escuela de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Revista médica de Chile (Rev Med Chil), published in Chile. (Language: spa)

Reference: 2006-Apr; vol 134 (issue 4) : pp 433-40

Dates: Created 2006/06/07; Completed 2007/05/08; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 16758078, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Age Factors
Aged
Blood Pressure - physiology
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Female
Follow-Up Studies

Humans
Hypertension - physiopathology; psychology; therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Relaxation Therapy
Treatment Outcome

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