A meta-analysis of the effects of psychoeducational care in adults with hypertension.

A meta-analysis of 102 studies was conducted to determine the effects of psychoeducational care on blood pressure (n = 89), knowledge about hypertension (n = 30), medication compliance (n = 23), weight (n = 16), compliance with health care appointments (n = 11), and anxiety (n = 6). Small- to medium-sized statistically significant beneficial effects were found on blood pressure for several types of psychoeducational care (education only, behavioral monitoring only, and relaxation). However, in the better controlled studies, the effect of relaxation on blood pressure was much smaller and not statistically significant. Statistically significant large treatment effects were obtained on knowledge, medication compliance, and compliance with health care appointments. Threats to validity limited conclusions about the effects of psychoeducational care on the weight and anxiety of adults with hypertension.