In a multiple-baseline, single subject design, two methods of biofeedback, indirectly related to blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and thermal, were evaluated for effectiveness in achieving across-session and within-session blood pressure decreases in essential hypertensives. The hypothesis that relaxation pretraining would enhance acquisition of feedback was also tested. Twelve male subjects with a physician's diagnosis of essential hypertension were recruited through newspaper advertisements, and participated in the study over a three to four month period (23 to 38 sessions). Mean blood pressure measures initially were 143.4 mm Hg systolic/93.3 mm Hg diastolic pressure. / Subjects were assigned to one of four sequences of training in which the order of presentation of PWV or thermal feedback, and presence of absence of relaxation pretraining were varied. The overall effectiveness of the treatment program was demonstrated by average blood pressure decreases at the end of the program and at follow-up one month later. Mean blood pressure levels during last three sessions of training were 133.2 mm Hg systolic/87.5 mm Hg diastolic pressure, with systolic but not diastolic pressures significantly lower, t(10) = 2.606, p < .05, than means of initial measures plus first two sessions of baseline. Means at one month follow-up were 134.8 mm Hg systolic and 89.2 mm Hg diastolic pressure. Systolic pressures were again significantly lower at follow-up, t(10) = 2.593, p < .05. In addition, three subjects had ceased taking any blood pressure medication by follow-up, and maintained normal (< 140/90) or nearly normal blood pressure. / The study provided support for the hypothesized effectiveness of thermal feedback across-sessions, although within-sessions blood pressure decreases with thermal feedback were significantly less than with PWV feedback, or during baseline. The effectiveness of relaxation pretraining was demonstrated by the fact that relaxation pretrained subjects attained significantly greater blood pressure decreases (measured as percentage change) from baseline to last three sessions of training, and by the fact that relaxation pretraining appeared critical in the acquisition of PWV feedback training. / Measures of four physiological parameters, frontalis EMG, fingertip skin temperature, heart rate, and pulse transit time, were taken throughout the study. An SPSS computer program multiple regression analysis of within-session changes of these parameters and on blood pressure measures indicated considerable variability among subjects in correlates of blood pressure change. / Results from this study are discussed as providing support for a hypothesized shaping of a more and more specific cardiovascular response through training of the Relaxation Response of Benson. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, Section: B, page: 2519. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74558 |
| Contributors | BUBY, CAROLYN MACMILLAN., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 126 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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