Evaluating the situational specificity of relaxation in mild essential hypertension.

A multiple baseline across subject/settings design was employed to assess the specificity of the effects of progressive relaxation in two recently diagnosed, mild hypertensives. Relaxation was implemented successively across laboratory and home settings. In Subject 1, laboratory relaxation was associated with control over diastolic blood pressure, while in Subject 2, control over systolic pressure was observed. Improvements to normotensive levels were observed for both subjects, and the changes were maintained in both settings for Subject 2 at 6- and 12-mo. follow-up. Subject 1 discontinued her medications, relaxation, and self-monitoring of blood pressure, which was associated with an increase in blood pressure during treatment maintenance; however, at 6- and 12-mo. follow-up, both home and laboratory blood pressures were within normotensive range.