Prediction of response to biofeedback-assisted relaxation in hypertensives: development of a Hypertensive Predictor Profile (HYPP).

A group of hypertensive patients who participated in a biofeedback-assisted relaxation program were divided into treatment successes and treatment failures based on the change in their blood pressure. Multiple regression analysis was used to characterize the successes and failures and to develop a hypertensive predictor profile. Hypertensives most likely to lower their blood pressure with biofeedback-assisted relaxation are those in whom there is evidence of autonomic overactivity, for example, cool hands, high heart rates, and evidence of a chronic response to stress, such as high anxiety scores and high normal cortisol levels.