Decrease in blood pressure and improved psychological aspects through meditation training in hypertensive older adults: A randomized control study.
Márcia De Fátima Rosas Marchiori, Elisa Harumi Kozasa, Roberto Dischinger Miranda, André Luiz Monezi Andrade, Tatiana Caccese Perrotti, José Roberto Leite
Geriatrics & gerontology international October 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12414 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 59 |
| Population | Elderly subjects aged ≥60 years with systolic BP 130-159 mmHg and diastolic BP 85-99 mmHg |
| Intervention | Zen meditation |
| Duration | 3-month intervention |
| Measures | quality of life assessment instrument |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Elderly Hypertension Quality of life |
| Key findings | Zen meditation twice daily for 20 minutes over 3 months reduced systolic blood pressure after 1 month and improved psychological quality of life in elderly subjects with hypertension. |
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Zen meditation on blood pressure (BP) and quality of life in elderly subjects. A total of 59 volunteers (21 men and 38 women), aged ≥60 years with systolic BP between 130 and 159 mmHg and diastolic BP between 85 and 99 mmHg, were randomly divided into a meditation group (MG), n = 28 and a control group (CG), n = 31. The MG meditated twice a day for 20 min for 3 months, and the CG remained on a waiting list. The BP levels were measured monthly in both groups. The volunteers' medication was kept stable. A quality of life assessment instrument was applied at the beginning and end of the study. For systolic BP, analysis of variance showed the influence of time (F(4,228) = 4.74, P < 0.01, β = 0.98) and the interaction group × time (F(4,228) = 3.07, P < 0.01, β = 0.89). The MG showed a significant decrease in systolic BP levels in the second measurement after 1 month of meditation practice when compared with the CG (Newman-Keuls test, P < 0.05). Starting at the second measurement, systolic BP levels in the MG were lower than the baseline and first measurement levels; however, the systolic BP levels were similar to those observed in the CG. In the quality of life assessment evaluation, a significant improvement in psychological aspects and overall quality of life in the MG compared with the CG was observed. These results suggest that Zen meditation is an interesting tool as a complementary treatment for hypertension in elderly subjects.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Meditation for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews February 15, 2024
- Effects of Buddhist Interventions in Their Original Context: A Meta-analysis Mindfulness March 25, 2026
- The heart-brain axis: A proteomics study of meditation on the cardiovascular system of Tibetan Monks EBioMedicine May 13, 2022
- Expert Opinion: Meditation and Cardiovascular Health: What is the Link? European cardiology December 18, 2019
- Meditation and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Journal of the American Heart Association September 28, 2017
Cites 14
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Zen Meditation: An Integration of Current Evidence The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Zen meditation and ABC relaxation theory: An exploration of relaxation states, beliefs, dispositions, and motivations Journal of Clinical Psychology May 3, 2001
- Impact of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Adrenaline and Cortisol Levels in Healthy Volunteers Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011
- Developing an observing attitude: an analysis of meditation diaries in an MBSR clinical trial. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy 2011
and 9 more in the library