Influence of Mindfulness and Relaxation on Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Meta-Analysis

Designing a meditation module to affect etiological and preventive factors in primary hypertensive patients-A pilot study

The aim of the present pilot study is to design, validate, and check the feasibility and efficacy of the designed meditation module on etiological and preventive factors in primary hypertensive patients (PHP). The systematic and detailed meditation module was formulated to prevent the complications of hypertension. The designed module was validated by 5 subject experts in the field of complementary and alternative therapy and research. Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Average Congruency Percentage (ACP), and Content Validity Index were calculated. The intervention was given for 5 days a week for 4 weeks, to 9 PHP to check the feasibility and the efficacy of the module by analyzing biochemical and psychological parameters. A randomized controlled trial is planned ahead with this module as intervention. The designed meditation module had 19 concepts with CVR >0.49 and ACP > 90% which were retained, 2 were modified (CVR 0.6, ACP 80) and 1 was deleted as CVR was <0.49 and ACP < 70%. The feasibility test mean was 93.33 ± 8.66 and the efficacy was tested by increase in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (p = 0.022) and decrease in anxiety (p = 0.022) and perceived stress (p = 0.016), improvement in emotional quotient (p = 0.011), mental state (p = 0.044), quality of sleep (p = 0.001), quality of life (p = 0.011), and happiness state (p = 0.003). The designed meditation module was found valid by the experts, feasible to patients, and efficient in improving biochemical and psychological parameters among PHP to affect the hypertensive etiological factors and check the progress and complications of the disorder. Trial Registration: CTRI/2022/09/045421.

Adverse Effects of Meditation: Autonomic Nervous System Activation and Individual Nauseous Responses During Samadhi Meditation in the Czech Republic

Buddhist meditation practices, including Samadhi meditation, which forms the basis for mindfulness practice, are broadly promoted as pathways to wellbeing, but evidence of their adverse effects is emerging. In a single-group observational study with assessments of autonomic system before, during, and after Samadhi meditation, we explore the relationship between post-meditation nausea symptoms and the degree of change in autonomic system activity during meditation as compared to before and after in 57 university students (42 women; mean age = 22.6) without any previous experience in meditation or yoga practices. We hypothesize that nauseous feelings in meditation are connected to a rapid increase of activity in the sympathetic nervous system, as indicated by decreased heart-rate variability (HRV). We additionally explore links between meditation-induced nausea and two markers of parasympathetic activity: increased HRV and vasovagal syncope. Engaging in meditation and increased nausea during meditation were both associated with increased markers of HRV parasympathetic activity, but 12 individuals with markedly higher nausea demonstrated increased HRV markers of sympathetic activity during meditation. Vasovagal syncope was observed but found to be unrelated to nausea levels. Drivers of adverse effects of meditation in some individuals require further investigation.

Retracted: Influence of Mindfulness and Relaxation on Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Meta-Analysis

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2021/2272469.].

Lifestyle Interventions for Elevated Blood Pressure in Childhood-Approaches and Outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of existing and emerging lifestyle treatments in the clinical management of primary elevated blood pressure and hypertension in pediatric patients. The authors hope to expand the knowledge base surrounding pediatric hypertension and update clinicians on best practices to improve outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Elevated blood pressure is traditionally addressed with broad lifestyle recommendations such as limiting salt consumption and losing weight. This approach is not well adapted for pediatric patients. Novel and often underutilized approaches to the treatment of hypertension in pediatrics include psychological counseling for behavior modification, circadian nutrition, consistent use of interdisciplinary teams, manipulation of macronutrients, stress management, technology-infused interventions, and systemic changes to the food environment. Elevated blood pressure is a pervasive condition affecting cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. Increasingly, pediatric patients are presenting with elevated blood pressure with etiologies known to be affected by lifestyle behaviors. Weight management, dietary modifications, and daily physical activity are well-researched methods for improving individual blood pressure measurements. These strategies can sometimes be as effective as pharmacological interventions at lowering blood pressure. However, compliance with these individual recommendations is not consistent and has led to unsatisfactory results. There are emerging treatment trends that may provide non-traditional and more effective non-pharmacologic routes to blood pressure management in pediatric patients.