12-month follow-up of yoga and bio-feedback in the management of hypertension

Twenty hypertensive patients treated for a 3 month period with relaxation exercises based on yogic principles re-enforced by biofeedback were compared with a control group of twenty hypertensives who rested on a couch. After 3 months the total antihypertensive drug requirement in twelve patients fell by an average of 41.9% in the treatment group but remained unchanged in the control group. Statistically significant reductions in blood pressure and drug requirements were satisfactorily maintained in the treatment group over the 12 month period.