Effect of dance therapy on blood pressure and exercise capacity of individuals with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dance therapy is a less conventional modality of physical activity in cardiovascular rehabilitation. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of dance therapy in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Pubmed, Scopus, LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE and SciELO via Virtual Health Library (Bireme) (from the earliest data available to February 2016) for controlled trials that investigated the effects of dance therapy on exercise capacity, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) test. RESULTS: Four studies met the eligibility criteria. Dance therapy resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (WMD -12.01mmHg; 95% CI: -16.08, -7.94mmHg; P<0.0001) when compared with control subjects. Significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure were also found (WMD -3.38mmHg; 95% CI: -4.81, -1.94mmHg; P<0.0001), compared with control group. Exercise capacity showed a significant improvement (WMD 1.31; 95% CI: 0.16, 2.47; P<0.03). A moderate to high heterogeneity was observed in our analysis: I(2)=92% to SBP, I(2)=55% to DBP, and I(2)=82% to exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed a positive effect of dance therapy on exercise capacity and reduction of SBP and DBP in individuals with hypertension. However, the moderate to high heterogeneity found in our analysis limits a pragmatic recommendation of dance therapy in individuals with hypertension.

Effect of music therapy on blood pressure of individuals with hypertension: A systematic review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported the benefits of music on blood pressure in hypertensive patients, however there is no meta-analysis. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of music in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Pubmed, Scopus, LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE and SciELO via Virtual Health Library (Bireme) (from the earliest date available to February 2016) for controlled trials that evaluated the effects of music on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) test. RESULTS: Three studies met the eligibility criteria. Music resulted in improvement in systolic blood pressure WMD (-6.58 95% CI: -9.38 to -3.79), compared with control group. A nonsignificant difference in diastolic blood pressure was found for participants in the music group compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: Music may improve systolic blood pressure and should be considered as a component of care of hypertensive patients.