CONTROLLED EVALUATION OF THERMAL BIOFEEDBACK IN TREATMENT OF ELEVATEDBLOOD-PRESSURE IN UNMEDICATED MILD HYPERTENSION

In the first of two studies, 42 unmedicated mild hypertensives complet ed either 16 sessions of thermal biofeedback (TBF) training for hand ( 7 sessions) and foot (9 sessions) warming or 8 weeks of monitoring BPs at home. There was a trend (p < .10) for more of those treated (57.1% ) to have DBPs lower than 90 mm Hg than for those only monitoring BPs at home (33%). Analyses of clinic BP values from random zero sphygmoma nometer measurements, from 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and from h ome BP measurements made by the patient showed no advantage for treatm ent versus BP monitoring. Sixteen of the 21 patients in BP monitoring were later treated. Analyses of treatment effects across all treated s ubjects by gender revealed a significant (p = .02) decrease in DBP for treated female subjects (n = 13) but not for males (n = 24). In the s econd study the 22 initial treatment successes, that is, those whose D BP was below 90 mm Hg at posttreatment (59.4% of those who completed t reatment), were randomized to an intensive follow-up (monthly visits f or 6 months, then visits every two months) emphasizing regular home pr actice with an electronic TBF device or regular follow-up (visits ever y 3 months). Twelve of the 22 were still normotensive at 12 months. Th ere were no differences at any point during the follow-up between the two conditions in success rate or BPs despite a numerical advantage in reported frequency of home practice by those in the intensive follow- rep condition.