Mindfulness effects on lifestyle behavior and blood pressure: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background and aims HTN affects nearly 50% of U.S. adults and is the leading modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. A healthy diet and exercise can improve BP control, but adherence to these interventions is low. We tested whether a multimodal mind–body program, Mindful Awareness Practices (MAP) could improve BP and lifestyle behaviors associated with HTN when compared to a Health Promotion Program (HPP). Methods Adults with BP >120/80 were randomized to MAP or HPP. Outcome measurements of BP, self‐reported diet, and exercise were analyzed with intent‐to‐treat group comparisons using repeated measures linear mixed models. Results There was an MAP–HPP between‐group difference in interactions of time‐by‐systolic BP ( P = 0.005) and time‐by‐diastolic BP ( P = .003). The mean drops in SBP from baseline to week 13 for the MAP group was 19 mm Hg (138 ± 15 mm Hg‐119 ± 6 mm Hg) compared to 7 mm Hg (134 ± 18 mm Hg‐127 ± 22 mm Hg) in the HPP group. Similarly, a greater reduction in DBP was observed in the MAP group compared to the HPP group, 12 mm Hg (89 mm Hg ± 11‐77 ± 7 mm Hg) and 1 mm Hg (81 ± 16 mm Hg‐80 ± 18 mm Hg), respectively. Mediational analysis of the MAP group showed the total effect of mindfulness practice minutes on SBP with indirect effect (ab) of −.057 was significant, resulting in a 40% lower SBP for total effect (c) compared to direct (c′) effect alone. The mediational model suggests MAP has a modest positive influence on participants initiating lifestyle behavior change, which partially explains the greater reduction in BP by the MAP group. Conclusion Our findings suggest a multimodal mind–body program involving mindfulness practice may improve BP control in adults with HTN.

Addressing Compassion Fatigue in Family Caregivers using a Mindfulness-based Smartphone Application

“…The app contains links to prerecorded meditations known as mindful awareness practices (MAPs), as well as training sessions and podcasts. It is widely available on all major mobile networks and the MAPs available in the app are supported by high-quality evidence that demonstrates they are effective in achieving the desired outcome (An et al, 2021;Galla et al, 2015;UCLA-MARC, 2022). The developers granted permission to use the app for this project and it was provided to participants at no cost.…”

Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on people with prehypertension or hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Nonetheless, a substantial portion of patients have poor compliance and mere health education is insufficient. Recent studies established the significant role mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) interventions play in lifestyle optimization [ 20 , 21 ]. ISH guidelines emphasize that mindfulness practice should be assimilated into everyday life [ 8 ].…”

Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on people with prehypertension or hypertension-A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…While intervention in the control group was treatment as usual in three trials[41,59, 60, 63], wait-list in three trials[61, 62, 65] and active minutes to 2.5 hours each time. 5 to 45 minutes of home practice was required in 7 studies[21,41,59, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67]. Except for 4 studies, other researchers reported the quali cation of instructors of MBSR, including therapists trained for MBSR[62-64, 66], a licensed psychologist[61], an psychiatrist trained for MBCT[67], certi ed instructors[21] and nurses[60].…”

“…5 to 45 minutes of home practice was required in 7 studies[21,41,59, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67]. Except for 4 studies, other researchers reported the quali cation of instructors of MBSR, including therapists trained for MBSR[62-64, 66], a licensed psychologist[61], an psychiatrist trained for MBCT[67], certi ed instructors[21] and nurses[60]. The follow-up time ranged from immediately post-intervention to 3 months after intervention (see Supplementary Material Table3).…”

“…Of the 12 studies, ten adopted Kabat-Zinn's theoretical framework of 8 weekly sessions of MBSR in the design of their intervention. One study[67] applied 8 weekly sessions of MBCT, in accordance with the approach of Segal et al Another one used 6 weekly sessions of MAP based on mindfulness skills[21]. All the activities were done in a group setting and lasted 45…”