Relaxation Response Training to Treat Hypertension

Relaxation Response Training to Treat Hypertension: Effects on Blood Pressure, Biomarkers, and Endothelial Function

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01263743

Enrollment

Registered

2010-12-21

Start date

2009-04-30

Completion date

2011-06-30

Last updated

2016-04-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypertension

Keywords

Stage 1 hypertension

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.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALRelaxation 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.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 70 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

General 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.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Endothelial Function	Eight weeks of Relaxation Response Training

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Blood Pressure	Eight Weeks of Relaxation Response Training
Genomic Expression	Eight Weeks of Relaxation Response Training

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026