They measured the efficacy of physical exercise, reduction in salt intake, and yoga among young (20-25) pre-hypertensives and hypertensives and compared those relative efficacies. The participants in the study were randomized into one control and three interventional groups. A total of 113 subjects divided into four groups participated in the eight-week intervention: "control (I), physical exercise (II) - brisk walking for 50-60 minutes, four days/week, salt intake reduction (III) - to at least half of their previous intake, and practice of yoga (IV) - for 30-45 minutes/day on at least five days/week."
All three of the intervention groups showed a significant reduction in blood pressure. There was no significant change in the control group. Physical exercise was most effective; salt intake reduction and yoga were also effective.
The study concluded that "Physical exercise, salt intake reduction, and yoga are effective non-pharmacological interventions in significantly reducing BP among young hypertensives and pre-hypertensives. These can therefore be positively recommended for hypertensives. There is also a case to deploy these interventions in the general population."
Abstract: PubMed. Article by Saptharishi L, Soudarssanane M, Thiruselvakumar D, Navasakthi D, Mathanraj S, Karthigeyan M, Sahai A., "Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Prevention and Control of Hypertension among Young Adults," Indian Journal of Community Medicine [2009 Oct;34(4):329-34]
