The short-term effect of Blood Pressure Reduction after Biofeedback in Malignant Hypertension: A case report

Article information

J Korean Med. 2024;45(1):249-254

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 March 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.24018

Seung-Yun Oh ¹

, Yeon-Ju Kim ²

, Lak-Hyung Kim ²

, Soo-Jung Park ¹^,

¹Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University

²Dept. of Neuropsychiatry, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University

Correspondence to: Soo-Jung Park, Department of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, Woosuk university medical center, 46, Eoeun-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-63-220-8676, Fax: +82-63-291-9312, E-mail: taorgi@hanmail.net

Received 2024 January 20; Revised 2024 February 8; Accepted 2024 February 16.

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to report the short-term blood pressure-lowering effects observed in a patient with malignant hypertension through slow breathing maneuver with heart rate variability(HRV) biofeedback.

Methods

Biofeedback sessions, totaling 13, each lasting 10 minutes, were administered. Blood pressure was measured pre and post-treatment, as well as thrice daily at 10 am, 4 pm, and 8 pm. Systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), and pulse rate were recorded for comparative analysis.

Results

Before biofeedback, the average SBP, DBP, and pulse rate were 227.2±18.3, 135.2±11.0, and 104.4±5.3, respectively. Immediately post-biofeedback, these values changed to 213.7±15.2, 126.9±8.5, and 99.2±3.6. However, sustained long-term blood pressure reduction was not observed.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that biofeedback therapy induces a short-term reduction in blood pressure in cases of malignant hypertension, potentially associated with autonomic nervous system regulation. Integrating biofeedback with other Korean medicine treatments, such as acupuncture or moxibustion, may offer a comprehensive approach for managing malignant hypertension.

Keywords: Biofeedback; Malignant Hypertension; Blood pressure; Heart rate variability; Case report

Fig. 1

Introduction of Biofeedback program.

① The blue line is pacer. The patient should breathe in and breathe out following the yellow dot. ② The indicators are VLF, LF and HF of heart rate variability from the left. ③ The pink line is the data of respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Blue and brown lines are the data of respiration sensors. ④ Compensation video is activated when breathing at the resonance frequency.

Table 1

Changes of Blood Pressure after Biofeedback on Malignant Hypertension Patient

References

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Introduction of Biofeedback program.

Table 1

Changes of Blood Pressure after Biofeedback on Malignant Hypertension Patient

Date		12/6	12/7	12/9	12/12	12/13	12/14	12/16	12/18	12/19	12/20	12/22	12/23	12/27	Mean±SD
Before biofeedback	SBP (mmHg)	239	224	207	214	206	223	239	236	250	258	244	207	206	227.2±18.3
	DBP (mmHg)	150	134	130	128	132	124	146	147	130	155	133	131	117	135.2±11.0
	PR	106	106	95	102	103	94	114	108	106	106	106	104	107	104.4±5.3
After biofeedback	SBP (mmHg)	231	189	193	204	212	218	235	213	212	227	230	220	194	213.7±15.2^*
	DBP (mmHg)	129	122	117	124	123	141	141	127	124	123	137	129	113	126.9±8.5^*
	PR	102	96	92	100	101	97	105	98	96	97	103	102	101	99.2±3.6^*
Daily BP (AM10)	SBP (mmHg)	226	218	221	224	221	225	226	226	219	225	221	225	223	223.1±2.8
	DBP (mmHg)	124	120	120	120	119	124	127	125	120	126	120	124	120	122.2±2.8
	PR	78	83	79	86	78	88	86	79	83	81	81	85	82	82.2±3.3
Daily BP (PM4)	SBP (mmHg)	234	227	228	223	228	234	237	231	232	234	232	233	235	231.4±3.9
	DBP (mmHg)	128	125	126	127	124	127	129	127	125	128	126	125	126	126.4±1.4
	PR	84	81	82	79	87	91	95	76	88	87	87	79	87	84.8±5.3
Daily BP (PM8)	SBP (mmHg)	246	235	237	245	236	239	246	248	238	239	234	238	248	240.7±5.1
	DBP (mmHg)	134	126	128	131	125	129	133	132	129	131	127	129	133	129.8±2.8
	PR	109	94	94	108	94	103	114	113	92	98	84	97	114	101.1±9.8

SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; PR, pulse rate; SD, standard deviation;

p<0.05 on paired t-test of before and after biofeedback