Effects of walking meditation for blood pressure control in patients with history of hypertensive crises

Abstract

Patients with history of hypertensive crises, whose blood pressure is uncontrolled, portrays a risk of serious complications and even lead to death. The objective of this study was to determine effects of walking meditation on blood pressure reduction in patients with history of hypertensive crises. The study was a randomized clinical trial, which conducted in Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, KhonKaen University, during August 2020 to March 2021. Total of 64 patients with hypertensive were enrolled. Thirty-two patients were randomized to the treatment group, and to the control group, equally. The treatment group was assigned to perform a 20-minute walking meditation every day for 30 days. Walking meditation were trained to the patients until they were able to perform it properly, by an expert monk from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Khon Kaen Campus. Both groups received standard treatment and lifestyle modification. Home blood pressure was measured daily.Paired t-test was used to compare blood pressure level within group and independent t−test was utilized to compare blood pressure level between the two groups, before and after the walking meditation (Day 0 and 30).

Results revealed that mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) of treatment group after walking meditation therapy was significantly lower than the control group (-5.8 mmHg, 95% CI-1.82 to-9.79, p<0.01). Similarly, mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of treatment group after walking meditation therapy was also significantly lower than the control group(-5.61 mmHg, 95% CI-1.31 to-9.91, p<0.01).From the sefindings, we concluded that walking meditation was effective and feasible for blood pressure lowering in patients with history of hypertensive crisis as a complimentarytherapy withthe conventional treatment.