Abstract

This project will target a specific population, individuals with moderate to severe essential hypertension whose disease requires at least two drugs, diuretics and sympathetic blocking agents, to manage. We will determine if either of two behavioral, or non-pharmacological, treatments, abbreviated progressive relaxation or thermal biofeedback, can be substituted for the second stage, or sympatholytic, drug in the management of the hypertension in a controlled trial. Furthermore, we will compare two follow-up maintenance procedures over one year, monthly booster sessions of behavioral treatment versus standard medical care, to see if the former leads to improved maintenance vis-a-vis the latter. More specifically, l00 individuals suffering from moderate to severe essential hypertension will, after an extensive physical, biochemical, psychological and psychophysiological assessment, be randomly assigned to receive either abbreviated progressive relaxation or thermal biofeedback. Each sub-set of 50 will be further sub-divided such that half will receive behavioral treatment while on two drugs while the other half will receive the treatment after the second stage medication is discontinued. From the pre-treatment assessment battery we will develop a scheme to predict who responds positively to behavioral treatment and who does not. Extensive biochemical assessments will allow us to understand the mechanism through which the behavioral treatments work.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL027622-08
Application #
3339252
Study Section
Behavioral Medicine Study Section (BEM)
Project Start
1987-09-30
Project End
1991-08-31
Budget Start
1989-09-15
Budget End
1990-08-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
State University of New York at Albany
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Albany
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
12222

  Publications

Blanchard, E B; Eisele, G; Gordon, M A et al. (1993) Thermal biofeedback as an effective substitute for sympatholytic medication in moderate hypertension: a failure to replicate. Biofeedback Self Regul 18:237-53
Wittrock, D A; Blanchard, E B (1992) Thermal biofeedback treatment of mild hypertension. A comparison of effects on conventional and ambulatory blood pressure measures. Behav Modif 16:283-304
Musso, A; Blanchard, E B; McCoy, G C (1991) Evaluation of thermal biofeedback treatment of hypertension using 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Behav Res Ther 29:469-78
Blanchard, E B (1990) Biofeedback treatments of essential hypertension. Biofeedback Self Regul 15:209-28
Blanchard, E B; Cornish, P J; Wittrock, D A et al. (1990) Subjective experiences associated with thermal biofeedback treatment of hypertension. Biofeedback Self Regul 15:145-59
Blanchard, E B; Cornish, P J; Wittrock, D A et al. (1990) Effects of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on daily activities. Health Psychol 9:647-52
Blanchard, E B; Morrill, B; Wittrock, D A et al. (1989) Hand temperature norms for headache, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome. Biofeedback Self Regul 14:319-31
McCoy, G C; Blanchard, E B; Wittrock, D A et al. (1988) Biochemical changes associated with thermal biofeedback treatment of hypertension. Biofeedback Self Regul 13:139-50
Blanchard, E B; McCoy, G C; Wittrock, D et al. (1988) A controlled comparison of thermal biofeedback and relaxation training in the treatment of essential hypertension: II. Effects on cardiovascular reactivity. Health Psychol 7:19-33
Wittrock, D A; Blanchard, E B; McCoy, G C (1988) Three studies on the relation of process to outcome in the treatment of essential hypertension with relaxation and thermal biofeedback. Behav Res Ther 26:53-66

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications