Effects of individual and group relaxation therapy on blood pressure in essential hypertensives

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Abstract
To determine if progressive muscle relaxation could be taught as effectively in group situations as in individual situations and if progressive muscle relaxation reduced blood pressure, 15 essential hypertensives were taught progressive muscle relaxation. Nine were taught individually, whereas the remaining six were taught as a group. The sessions were once weekly for 4 weeks. Blood pressure measurements were made at the beginning and end of each session, as well as at the beginning of the first and last session. No differences were found between these methods of instruction. Decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures from the beginning to the end of each session were found, as well as decreases in systolic pressure from session one to session four. It was concluded () that group instruction and individual instruction are equally effective, () that progressive muscle relaxation is effective in reducing blood pressure, and (c) that 4 weeks is inadequate for reducing diastolic blood pressure.