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 .
Paranormal healing and hypertension
A prospect i ve r and omised trial was carried out to see whether paranormal healing by laying on of h and s might reduce blood pressure in essential hypertension and whether such an effect might be due to a paranormal , psychological , or placebo factor . Patients were r and omised to three treatment groups : paranormal healing by laying on of h and s ( n=40 )  , paranormal healing at a distance ( n=37 ) , and no paranormal healing ( controls ; n=38 ) .  Healing at a distance and no paranormal healing were investigated double blind . Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in all three groups at week 15 ( mean reduction ( 95 % confidence interval ) 17·1 ( 14·0 to 20·2)/8·3 ( 6·6 to 10·0 ) mm Hg ) . Only the successive reductions in diastolic blood pressures among the groups from week to week were significantly different . Each week diastolic pressure was consistently lower ( average 1·9 mm Hg ) after healing at a distance compared with control , but on paired comparison these differences were not significant . Probably week to week variations among the groups accounted for any differences noted . In this study no treatment was consistently better than another and the data can not therefore be taken as evidence of a paranormal effect on blood pressure . Probably the fall in blood pressure in all three groups either was caused by the psychosocial approach or was a placebo effect of the trial itself
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 .