Mindfulness-based interventions may reduce blood pressure Original paper

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, mindfulness-based interventions reduced blood pressure in adults with hypertension or prehypertension.

The effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (primary outcomes) in the context of high blood pressure.

The secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and perceived stress.

A total of 715 men and women (average ages of 43–74) with hypertension or prehypertension.

A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials was performed. Three trials each were conducted in the United States and Iran, 2 trials each were conducted in India and China, and 1 trial each was conducted in Spain and Canada. Twelve trials looked at systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and 4 trials looked at anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The types of MBIs were mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR; 10 trials), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT; 1 trial), and mindfulness awareness practice (MAP; 1 trial). The comparators included usual treatment, no intervention, and active control treatments (such as yoga, social support groups, and health education).

MBIs reduced systolic blood pressure (−9.1 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (−5.7 mmHg). They also reduced anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and perceived stress.

The risk of bias was low in 1 trial, unclear in 8 trials, and high in 3 trials.

The questionable methodological quality of most trials included in the meta-analysis reduces our confidence in the findings.