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 .
Stress management for essential hypertension: comparison with a minimally effective treatment, predictors of response to treatment, and effects on reactivity.
Few studies of psychological interventions for essential hypertension have incorporated comprehensive coping skills treatment programs , evaluated the efficacy of such programs against credible , minimally effective controls , examined the effects of these interventions on pressor responses , or clarified the nature of person by treatment interactions . The present study examined the relative effectiveness of multimodal stress management training and a minimally effective treatment control ( i.e. GSR biofeedback training ) in the treatment of essential hypertensives ' blood pressure at rest and in response to simulated stressful interpersonal situations . At the conclusion of an 8 week training period , stress management participants exhibited reliably lower resting diastolic blood pressure and tended to exhibit lower systolic pressure than controls . The former condition maintained their lower pressures through a 6-month follow-up period , but decreases in controls over follow-up rendered the conditions equivalent in blood pressure . No differences between conditions emerged in analyses on pressor responses .  Stress management training was somewhat more effective for individuals scoring low rather than high on measures of trait anxiety and irritability
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 .