[Results of the use of relaxation therapy in hypertension].
To assess the efficiency of relaxation therapy (RT) as part of the treatment for essential hypertension (EH), 100 male EH patients, aged 20 to 55 years, were repeatedly examined at 12 months' intervals, using clinical, psychological and psychophysiologic tests. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the main group received RT as autotraining (AT) or using biologic feedback devices, and the control group was not exposed to mental influences. Patients from the main group showed a more marked resting BP drop as well as a smaller and shorter hypertensive response to emotional stress, improved psychosocial status and psychologic adaptation, and better working capacity. A comparative five-year follow-up study of 90 patients was carried out to assess the value of RT for secondary EH prevention. The use of AT is associated with a slower progress of the disease, as compared to the controls, as evidenced by lower BP values, more limited growth of left-ventricular hypertrophy, and lesser neurotization as well as shorter EH-related temporary disability periods.