Final answer:
Repetitive effleurage is a soothing technique that reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, promoting relaxation by increasing parasympathetic stimulation. This leads to lowered heart rate and blood pressure, aiding in stress management and treatment of high blood pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally, repetitive effleurage is considered to be a soothing technique that decreases sympathetic nervous system firing. In doing so, it increases parasympathetic stimulation, which helps to reset organ functions after the sympathetic nervous system activation - for instance, the adrenaline rush after a 'fight-or-flight' event. The effects of increased parasympathetic stimulation may include a decrease in heart rate, lower blood pressure, and the stimulation of digestion, contributing to a state of relaxation. The relaxation response approach, with techniques like effleurage, can be effective in stress management and in reducing symptoms of high blood pressure.