70 (normotensive, female posttreatment cancer patients, age ≥18)
8 wk. MBSR
Passive (waitlist)
3 readings taken at 3-min. intervals
Not randomized, NR if blinded
Clinical psychologist with over 10 yrs. of experience
No significant difference in BP between MBSR group and control; when patients were analyzed by “higher BP" and “lower BP" groups based on BP readings at week 1, “higher BP" MBSR participants had lower SBP compared to controls at week 8
60 (African American adults, aged >20 years; with high normal BP of 130–139/80-85, stage 1 hypertension BP of 140–159/90–99, or stage II hypertension BP of 160–179/100–109)
TM for 6–9 mos. (average intervention period of mos.)
Active (CVD risk factor prevention education program)
3 readings taken at each of 3 consecutive visits (last 2 visits were averaged)
Randomized, single-blind
Certified instructors from the African American community
Both groups had significant decreases in BP (TM group by mm Hg SBP and mm Hg DBP, control group by SBP and DBP), but only the BP decrease in TM group was associated with corresponding decrease in carotid intima-media thickness)
298 (university students, BP <140/90 and > 90/60 mm Hg, with 159 in a hypertension risk subgroup for having SBP>130 mm Hg, DBP>85 mm Hg, or other risk factors)
TM for 3 mos.
Passive
3 readings taken at 1-min. intervals (last 2 readings were averaged)
Randomized, single-blind
Research staff and TM instructional staff
In the hypertension risk subgroup, TM significantly reduced SBP by 5.0 mm Hg and DBP by 2.8 mm Hg; reductions in overall sample were not significant. TM produced significant improvements in total psychological distress, anxiety, depression, anger/hostility, and coping.
127 (hypertensive African Am. adults aged 55–85 yrs., SBP ≤179 mm Hg, DBP 90–104 mm Hg)
Transcendental Meditation (TM) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), with 1 wk. initial instruction and 1.5 hr. monthly followups for 3 mos.
Active (lifestyle modification)
4 readings over 1-2 mos.
Randomized, single-blind
NR
TM significantly decreased BP in both women (SBP by 10.4 mm Hg, DBP by 5.9 mm Hg) and men (SBP by 12.7, DBP by 8.1); PMR only decreased DBP significantly in men (by 6.2)
150 (African Am. adults, mean age ofyrs., SBP 140 to 179 mm Hg, DBP 90–109 mm Hg)
TM or PMR
Active (conventional health education)
3 readings taken within 1 hr. at each of 5 sessions over 1 mo.
Randomized, single-blind
NR
TM decreased SBP by 3.1 mm Hg, DBP by 5.7 mm Hg (greatest decrease of all groups); TM decreased use of antihypertensive medication (relative to increases in other groups)
72 (elderly retirement-age adults, mean age of 81 yrs.)
TM, mindfulness training (MF), or mental relaxation
Passive
3 readings taken at 2-min. intervals (only SBP reported)
Randomized, single-blind
21 trained instructors (professionals, graduate students, and college seniors)
TM decreased SBP by 12.4 mm Hg (greatest decrease of all groups), and survival rate was 100% (compared to the second highest, 87.5% in MF) after 3 yrs.