The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions on patients with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Recently, the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions for patients with hypertension have been recognized, but there has been no systematic review that has comprehensively analyzed the efficacy of CBT on health outcomes in this population. We aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of CBT-based interventions on hypertension patients through a meta-analysis.

Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were obtained by searching electronic databases. The primary outcomes were physiological indicators (blood pressure, blood lipid profile). Secondary outcomes were psychological indicators (anxiety, depression), and the quality of sleep. Stata version 15.0 software was used to analyze the results.

A total of 15 RCTs were included. The main analysis revealed that CBT-based interventions reduced systolic pressure: -8.67 (95% CI: -10.67 to -6.67, P=0.000); diastolic pressure: −5.82 (95% CI: -7.82 to -3.81, P=0.000); total cholesterol levels: -0.43 (95% CI: -0.76 to -0.10, P=0.010); depressive symptoms: -3.13 (95% CI: -4.02 to -2.24, P=0.000); anxiety symptoms: -3.63 (95% CI: -4.40 to -2.87, P=0.000); and improved quality of sleep: -2.93 (95% CI: -4.40 to -1.47, P=0.000). Additionally, the results of subgroup analysis indicated that long-term group-based CBT-based interventions were particularly beneficial for blood pressure management in hypertension patients.

CBT-based interventions are effective in reducing systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, total cholesterol levels, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and improving quality of sleep in hypertension patients.