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Vol 25, No 2 (2021)
REVIEW
Published online: 2021-01-25
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Psychological methods in treatment of essential hypertension

Pavel Larionov1
·
Arterial Hypertension 2021;25(2):53-62.
Affiliations
  1. Faculty of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland

open access

Vol 25, No 2 (2021)
REVIEW
Published online: 2021-01-25

Abstract

Background: The article presents the results of research into the most commonly used methods of psychological support in the treatment of hypertensive patients, including relaxation and meditation techniques, mindfulness training, music therapy, yoga, aromatherapy and biofeedback techniques. Selected psychological aspects of adherence to the antihypertensive treatment are reviewed. Some notes about personality-oriented counselling and psychotherapy in the treatment of hypertension are raised.

Material and methods: In the search for high quality studies, mainly PubMed and EBSCO databases were used, and the journals of such publishers as Elsevier, Hindawi and the American Psychological Association.

Results: Studies on methods of psychological support in hypertensive treatment are mostly controversial due to the lack of assessment of the long-term effects of the intervention, and the complexity of the subject of the study. The most convincing is to use individually selected methods based on the development of mental self-regulation skills (Jacobson’s relaxation technique, meditation, biofeedback therapy and mindfulness training). Music therapy, yoga and aromatherapy can also be helpful for patients involved in antihypertensive treatment. Using methods of psychological help, one should take into account restrictions and contraindications, as well as take some precautions. In order to increase the effectiveness of the antihypertensive therapy, it is proposed to conduct health and educational programmes for hypertensive patients, as well as short training courses on communication skills for health care workers.

Conclusion: Responsible use of individually selected assistive treatment psychological methods can be helpful for people with arterial hypertension.

Abstract

Background: The article presents the results of research into the most commonly used methods of psychological support in the treatment of hypertensive patients, including relaxation and meditation techniques, mindfulness training, music therapy, yoga, aromatherapy and biofeedback techniques. Selected psychological aspects of adherence to the antihypertensive treatment are reviewed. Some notes about personality-oriented counselling and psychotherapy in the treatment of hypertension are raised.

Material and methods: In the search for high quality studies, mainly PubMed and EBSCO databases were used, and the journals of such publishers as Elsevier, Hindawi and the American Psychological Association.

Results: Studies on methods of psychological support in hypertensive treatment are mostly controversial due to the lack of assessment of the long-term effects of the intervention, and the complexity of the subject of the study. The most convincing is to use individually selected methods based on the development of mental self-regulation skills (Jacobson’s relaxation technique, meditation, biofeedback therapy and mindfulness training). Music therapy, yoga and aromatherapy can also be helpful for patients involved in antihypertensive treatment. Using methods of psychological help, one should take into account restrictions and contraindications, as well as take some precautions. In order to increase the effectiveness of the antihypertensive therapy, it is proposed to conduct health and educational programmes for hypertensive patients, as well as short training courses on communication skills for health care workers.

Conclusion: Responsible use of individually selected assistive treatment psychological methods can be helpful for people with arterial hypertension.

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Keywords

arterial hypertension; methods of psychological support; self-regulation; Jacobson’s relaxation technique; music therapy; meditation; biofeedback therapy; yoga; aromatherapy; mindfulness training

About this article
Title

Psychological methods in treatment of essential hypertension

Journal

Arterial Hypertension

Issue

Vol 25, No 2 (2021)

Pages

53-62

Published online

2021-01-25

Page views

3565

Article views/downloads

1378

DOI

10.5603/AH.a2021.0002

Bibliographic record

Arterial Hypertension 2021;25(2):53-62.

Keywords

arterial hypertension
methods of psychological support
self-regulation
Jacobson’s relaxation technique
music therapy
meditation
biofeedback therapy
yoga
aromatherapy
mindfulness training

Authors

Pavel Larionov

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