Relaxation Response Training to Treat Hypertension

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.

Conditions

• Hypertension

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation Response

The Relaxation Response is a type of relaxation. The goal of the Relaxation Response is to consciously elicit a reaction opposite in direction to the stress response.

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation Response

Relaxation Response is a type of relaxation. This is a technique that elicits a state that is opposite to the stress response.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Brigham and Women's Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Massachusetts General Hospital

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jeffrey Huffman, MD · Massachusetts General Hospital

• Randall Zusman, MD · Massachusetts General Hospital

• Mark A Creager, MD · Brigham and Women's Hospital

• John W Denninger, MD · Massachusetts General Hospital

• Herbert Benson, MD · Massachusetts General Hospital

• Gregory Fricchione, MD · Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-04-30

Primary Completion

2011-06-30

Completion

2011-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations