The effects of integrated laughter, mild physical activity and dietary self-control on blood pressure and serum lipid profile among hypertensive patients in community-based care, Pathum Thani, Thailand

Abstract

Background: There is considerable interest in non-pharmacological therapy in community-based treatment of hypertensive patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of integrated laughter, mild physical activity and dietary self-control (ILMPAD Program) on blood pressure and serum lipid profile among hypertensive patients in community-based care, Pathum Thani province, Thailand.

Methods: A randomized control study design was applied to two groups. Hypertensive patients were recruited to participate in the ILMPAD program at the clinic.  All participants were assigned to the intervention and the control group by simple random allocation, matching on sex-and age-specific groups.  A 3 month of ILMPAD program consisted of a10 minute giving knowledge, a 40 minute exercise training and a 10 minute individual record of dietary intake, exercise, stress and relaxing. The activity of ILMPAD program was repeated every month at the clinic under the monthly physician’s appointment until 3 successive months elapsed.  The control group received only the usual care of health promoting hospital, including routine physicians’ treatment.  The primary expected outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP) from baseline data 3 months after starting the ILMPAD program, compared between two groups. The secondary expected outcomes were changes in serum lipid levels (cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL) from baseline to 3 months after starting the ILMPAD program, compared between the two groups.

Results: Of 69 randomly allocated participants one group was exposed to the ILMPAD program (n=34) and one group functioned as control groups (n=35).  Compared with the baseline data, there was no significant difference of blood pressure between the two groups (p>0.05).  However, there were significant difference of cholesterol, LDL and HDL in the intervention group after received a 3 month of ILMPAD program (p < 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions: ILMPAD program might be effective in lowering blood pressure and improving serum lipid among hypertensive patients in community-based care. However, larger and longer trial studies will be needed to evaluate this program.