Objectives: This study was conducted to determine if autogenic relaxation training combined with aerobic exercise have more effect than aerobic exercises alone on postmenopausal hypertension and stress. Methods:Forty five postmenopausal women diagnosed with hypertension and stress, they were selected randomly from outpatient clinic of obstetrics and gynecology in Zagazig general hospital, their age ranged from 45 to 55 years old and their body mass index didn`t exceed 35kg/m2, the participants were assigned into three groups of equal numbers. Group (A) received Captopril 25mg twice daily for 6 weeks, while group (B) received Captopril 25 mg twice daily in addition to aerobic exercises for 30minutes/session, 3times/week for 6 weeks. Group (C) received Captopril 25 mg twice daily in addition to aerobic exercises for 30minutes/session and autogenic training for 20 minutes 3times/week for 6 weeks. All participants were evaluated by Mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, perceived stress scale (PSS) and serum cortisol levels before and after treatment. The results of this study revealed that there was statistically significant improvement in systolic & diastolic blood pressure, stress degree on PSS and cortisol level in group(C) than group (A) and group(B). Conclusion: It can be concluded that autogenic training combined with aerobic are more effective than aerobic exercises alone in reducing hypertension as well as stress after menopause.
