Biofeedback for Hypertension

Abstract

Position Paper1 May 1985Biofeedback for HypertensionHEALTH AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANSHEALTH AND PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEESearch for more papers by this author, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANSSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-102-5-709 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptEssential hypertension is a widespread problem, affecting as much as 10% to 15% of the population (1). Approximately 70% of the hypertensive population has relatively mild hypertension (diastolic blood pressure between 90 and 105 mm Hg) (1). Biofeedback has been applied to the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. As in other behavioral techniques, the objective of biofeedback has been to control blood pressure and reduce medication requirements.DescriptionSeveral different biofeedback techniques, both direct and indirect, have been used. Direct techniques involve either continuous or periodic cuff-pressure measurements or pulse-wave velocity measurements. Indirect biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques incorporate galvanic...