RESEARCH
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Effects of Audio Relaxation Programs for Blood Pressure Reduction
Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2009 Dec;8(5):329-36. Authors: Tang HY, Harms V, Speck SM, Vezeau T, Jesurum JT.901 12th Avenue, P.O. BOX 222000, College of Nursing, Seattle University, Seattle,WA
BACKGROUND: Stress management is one element of the lifestyle modification that is recommended for blood pressure control. Reduction in sympathetic arousal may be achieved through a series of audio relaxation training.
AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of two audio relaxation programs for blood pressure reduction in older adults.
METHODS: This clinical randomized study consists of 12-sessions of intervention. 41 older adults were randomly assigned to either listening to a 12-minute audio relaxation program or a 12-minute Mozart andante. At each session, blood pressures were recorded.
RESULTS: For both groups, the reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures after the 12-session intervention training was statistically and clinically significant. The reduction in systolic blood pressure was greater in the audio relaxation group than the Mozart group.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant blood pressure reduction can be achieved through a brief 12-minute audio relaxation program with older adults. Guided relaxation may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than plain music.
Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2009 Dec;8(5):329-36. Authors: Tang HY, Harms V, Speck SM, Vezeau T, Jesurum JT.901 12th Avenue, P.O. BOX 222000, College of Nursing, Seattle University, Seattle,WA
BACKGROUND: Stress management is one element of the lifestyle modification that is recommended for blood pressure control. Reduction in sympathetic arousal may be achieved through a series of audio relaxation training.
AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term effects of two audio relaxation programs for blood pressure reduction in older adults.
METHODS: This clinical randomized study consists of 12-sessions of intervention. 41 older adults were randomly assigned to either listening to a 12-minute audio relaxation program or a 12-minute Mozart andante. At each session, blood pressures were recorded.
RESULTS: For both groups, the reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures after the 12-session intervention training was statistically and clinically significant. The reduction in systolic blood pressure was greater in the audio relaxation group than the Mozart group.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant blood pressure reduction can be achieved through a brief 12-minute audio relaxation program with older adults. Guided relaxation may be more effective in lowering blood pressure than plain music.
Quieting mind and body...
Effects of Guided Imagery on Women with Fibromyalgia - ww.belleruthnaparstek.com Nov. 2012
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing in Richmond, VA, studied the efficacy of guided imagery on 72 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The 10-week randomized trial looked at the impact of guided imagery on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and selected bio-behavioral factors - FMS symptoms and immune biomarkers.
Participants in both the guided imagery(GI) group and in the treatment as usual (TAU) control condition, completed measurement questionnaires.
Analysis to determine differences between groups for all behavioral and biologic variables demonstrated that after 10 weeks of daily intervention use, guided imagery participants reported statistically significant increases in self-efficacy and statistically significant decreases in stress, fatigue, pain, and depression.
Subsequent studies should be undertaken to more fully elucidate the biobehavioral aspects of nonpharmacological intervention effectiveness.
Citation: Menzies V, Lyon DE, Elswick RK Jr, McCain NL, Gray DP., J Behav Med. 2012 Nov 3.
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing in Richmond, VA, studied the efficacy of guided imagery on 72 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The 10-week randomized trial looked at the impact of guided imagery on self-efficacy, perceived stress, and selected bio-behavioral factors - FMS symptoms and immune biomarkers.
Participants in both the guided imagery(GI) group and in the treatment as usual (TAU) control condition, completed measurement questionnaires.
Analysis to determine differences between groups for all behavioral and biologic variables demonstrated that after 10 weeks of daily intervention use, guided imagery participants reported statistically significant increases in self-efficacy and statistically significant decreases in stress, fatigue, pain, and depression.
Subsequent studies should be undertaken to more fully elucidate the biobehavioral aspects of nonpharmacological intervention effectiveness.
Citation: Menzies V, Lyon DE, Elswick RK Jr, McCain NL, Gray DP., J Behav Med. 2012 Nov 3.