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Science 20 August 1971:
Vol. 173. no. 3998, pp. 740 - 742
DOI: 10.1126/science.173.3998.740
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Articles

Decreased Systolic Blood Pressure through Operant Conditioning Techniques in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Herbert Benson 1, David Shapiro 2, Bernard Tursky 2, and Gary E. Schwartz 2

1 Harvard Medical Unit, Boston City Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02118 and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115
2 Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Harvard Medical School

Operant conditioning-feedback techniques were employed to lower systolic blood pressure in seven patients with essential hypertension. In five of the patients, meaningful decreases of systolic blood pressure were obtained in the laboratory, ranging from 16 to 34 millimeters of mercury. The therapeutic value of such techniques remains to be established.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Biofeedback for Hypertension.
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Ann Intern Med 102, 709-715
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Self-Control of Somatic Arousal: An Examination of the Effects of Meditation and Biofeedback.
D. S. HOLMES (1985)
American Behavioral Scientist 28, 486-496
Non-Drug Treatment of Hypertension.
N. M. KAPLAN (1985)
Ann Intern Med 102, 359-373
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Behavioral Treatment of Psychophysical Disorders.
E. B. Blanchard and T. A. Ahles (1979)
Behav Modif 3, 518-549
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Psychological Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.
E. B. Blanchard and S. T. Miller (1977)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 34, 1402-1413
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Behavioral Methods in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Review of Their Clinical Status.
A. P. SHAPIRO, G. E. SCHWARTZ, D. C. E. FERGUSON, D. P. REDMOND, and S. M. WEISS (1977)
Ann Intern Med 86, 626-636
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Behavioral Science Applied to Cardiovascular Health: Progress and Research Needs in the Modification of Risk-Taking Habits in Adult Populations.
A. L. McAlister, J. W. Farquhar, C. E. Thoresen, and N. Maccoby (1976)
Health Educ Behav 4, 45-73
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Clinical Applications of Biofeedback Training: A Review of Evidence.
E. B. Blanchard and L. D. Young (1974)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 30, 573-589
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Instrumental Conditioning of Large-Magnitude, Daily, 12-Hour Blood Pressure Elevations in the Baboon.
A. H. Harris, W. J. Gilliam, J. D. Findley, and J. V. Brady (1973)
Science 182, 175-177
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Chronic Anxiety Treated by Feedback-Induced Muscle Relaxation: A Pilot Study.
M. Raskin, G. Johnson, and J. W. Rondestvedt (1973)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 28, 263-267
   Abstract »    PDF »


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