• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.998-1011
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• 2001

In order to improve self-management of elderly hypertensives in this study, the researcher examined the effect of blood pressure regulation by an abdominal relaxed breathing training which regulates physical response to stress and lessens the activity of the sympathetic nerve. Method: A quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design was used. Thirty elderly hypertensive patient ; Sixteen in the abdominal breathing group and fourteen in the control group participated in this study. The abdominal relaxed breathing training consisted of eight sessions twice a week for four weeks. There was no intervention for the control group. Result: 1. There was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the experimental group and control group over three different times, and interaction by groups and over time. 2. There was no significant difference in the level of total stress response, physical stress response, behavioral-cognitive stress response between the experimental group and control group over three different times, and interaction by groups and over time. Conclusion: Findings indicate that this study will contribute to develop nursing strategies for the regulation of blood pressure for the elderly, which is easy for the elderly to learn as a nonpharmacologic approach.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2003

Purpose: To improve self-management in elderly people with hypertension, the researcher examined the effects of an abdominal relaxed breathing exercises using biofeedback on blood pressure. These exercises regulate physical response to stress and lessen the activity of sympathetic nerves. Method: A single-experimental pre-and post-test design was used. Eight elderly people with hypertension participated in the study from April, 6 to June, 14, 2000. Biofeedback was done with soft ware by developed by J & J Company (1-410 form for abdominal respiration training). The abdominal relaxed breathing exercises are based on Mason's suggestion (1985) and were modified by Yu & Song(2001). This program consisted of 4 sessions once a week for four weeks. Data were analysed using SPSSPC+(10.0). Result: There was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over three different times. There was a significant difference in the level of total stress response, overall health and quality of life but no significant difference in the level of emotional condition over three different times. Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to the development of nursing strategies for the regulation of blood pressure in older people as the exercises are easy to learn and are a nonpharmacologic approach.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2001

The relaxation response is a state of profound rest, creates physiological responses directly opposite to the stress response. The relaxation response can be used to counteract the harmful effects of stress. The relaxation response can be elicited by a number of techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, biofeedback, etc. These relaxation methods in any mental or physical conditions associated with distress and even in normal people have useful benefits for stress control and health enhancement. These relaxation techniques are but one part of a comprehensive stress management program, through regular and continuous practice appropriate for each person, they will make an effective role in stress management. In this review, author reviewed how to practically use meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training, in more detail. In the treatment of various stress-related disease, especially in psychiatric disorders, the relaxation technique may be a useful complement to conventional treatment and serves as an intervention between stress and disease.