Relaxation Response Training to Treat Hypertension

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hypertension
• Interventions: Behavioral: Relaxation Response

• Registration Number: NCT01263743
• Lead Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brief Summary

Interventions such as Relaxation Response appear to have widespread effects on physiology. Endothelial function, changes in genomic expression, several biomarkers have been associated with chronic stress and cardiovascular dysfunction, and there is some suggestion that elicitation of the Relaxation Response may lead to improvement in-or normalization of-these factors. By studying the impact of the Relaxation Response on endothelial function, genomic expression and biomarkers among subjects with hypertension, it may be possible to better understand the biologic underpinnings of Relaxation Response-type interventions. Furthermore, with a greater understanding of the physiologic mechanisms by which the Relaxation Response works, it may be possible to better target other symptoms and conditions that can be effectively treated by such an intervention.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-04
• Study First Submitted: 2010-12-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-12-20
• Study First Posted: 2010-12-21
• Primary Completion: 2011-06
• Study Completion: 2011-06
• Status Verified: 2016-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-04-18
• Last Update Posted: 2016-04-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 58

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy men and women
• Hypertension (stage 1)
• 18-70 years old

General Exclusion Criteria

• No asthma or nasal allergies
• Non-smokers
• If on anti-hypertensive medication willing to discontinue
• Cannot currently practice Tai Chi, meditation, or yoga regularly
• Current use of the following medications: phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, long-acting nitrates, systemic corticosteroids, anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressive or cytotoxic therapies (currently or within the last 12 months), anabolic steroids, and antidepressants.

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
This is a single arm study	Relaxation Response	Relaxation Response training will be given to all participants

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Endothelial Function	Eight weeks of Relaxation Response Training

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Blood Pressure	Eight Weeks of Relaxation Response Training
Genomic Expression	Eight Weeks of Relaxation Response Training

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States