Robust statistically significant effects were found for improved diet , aerobic exercise , alcohol and sodium restriction , and fish oil supplements : mean reductions in systolic blood pressure of 5.0 mmHg [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 3.1 - 7.0 ] , 4.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.0 - 7.1 ) , 3.8 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 1.4 - 6.1 ) , 3.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.5 - 4.6 ) and 2.3 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 0.2 - 4.3 ) , respectively , with corresponding reductions in diastolic blood pressure .
Relaxation significantly reduced blood pressure only when compared with non-intervention controls .
We found no robust evidence of any important effect on blood pressure of potassium , magnesium or calcium supplements .
Available evidence does not support relaxation therapies , calcium , magnesium or potassium supplements to reduce blood pressure
PURPOSE To quantify effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for hypertension .
Controlled evaluation of thermal biofeedback in treatment of elevated blood pressure in unmedicated mild hypertension
In the first of two studies , 42 unmedicated mild hypertensives completed either 16 sessions of thermal biofeedback ( TBF ) training for h and ( 7 sessions ) and foot ( 9 sessions ) warming or 8 weeks of monitoring BPs at home . There was a trend ( p<.10 ) for more of those treated ( 57.1 % ) to have DBPs lower than 90 mm Hg than for those only monitoring BPs at home ( 33 % ) . Analyses of clinic BP values from r and om zero sphygmomanometer measurements , from 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring , and from home  BP measurements made by the patient showed no advantage for treatment versus BP monitoring . Sixteen of the 21 patients in BP monitoring were later treated . Analyses of treatment effects across all treated subjects by gender revealed a significant ( p=.02 ) decrease in DBP for treated female subjects ( n=13 ) but not for males ( n=24 ) . In the second study the 22 initial treatment successes , that is , those whose DBP was below 90 mm Hg at posttreatment ( 59.4 % of those who completed treatment ) , were r and omized to an intensive follow-up ( monthly visits for 6 months , then visits every two months ) emphasizing regular home practice with an electronic TBF device or regular follow-up ( visits every 3 months ) . Twelve of the 22 were still normotensive at 12 months . There were no differences at any point during the follow-up between the two conditions in success rate or BPs despite a numerical advantage in reported frequency of home practice by those in the intensive follow-up condition
Robust statistically significant effects were found for improved diet , aerobic exercise , alcohol and sodium restriction , and fish oil supplements : mean reductions in systolic blood pressure of 5.0 mmHg [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 3.1 - 7.0 ] , 4.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.0 - 7.1 ) , 3.8 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 1.4 - 6.1 ) , 3.6 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 2.5 - 4.6 ) and 2.3 mmHg ( 95 % CI : 0.2 - 4.3 ) , respectively , with corresponding reductions in diastolic blood pressure .
Relaxation significantly reduced blood pressure only when compared with non-intervention controls .
We found no robust evidence of any important effect on blood pressure of potassium , magnesium or calcium supplements .
Available evidence does not support relaxation therapies , calcium , magnesium or potassium supplements to reduce blood pressure
PURPOSE To quantify effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for hypertension .