Cultural dance significantly improves hypertension management

Abstract

Abstract Hypertension (HT), uncontrolled blood pressure (>140/90 mmHg), is the leading preventable cause of premature death globally and a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and other conditions. European and African regions have the highest prevalence rates at about 40% of adults. The U.S. has comparable rates and disturbing disparities in non-White minority groups. Native Hawaiians (NH), an indigenous U.S. population, are 70% more likely to have HT; 4 times more likely to have coronary heart disease or stroke than Whites. Hula, the cultural dance of NH, offers promise of a culturally responsive strategy for HT control. We conducted a randomized clinical trial with a waitlist control to test the impact of a hula-based cultural dance intervention (CDI) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) in 263 NH with HT. All participants received HT education (e.g. diet, exercise, medication) during 3 1-hr sessions over 2 weeks, then randomly assigned to CDI (n = 131) or waitlist control (WC; n = 132). The CDI received 6 months of hula (2 1-hr sessions/week x 3 months, then 1 lesson/mth x 3 months with self-directed practice), with group activities to reinforce HT education. WC only received the initial HT education, then offered hula after the study. Assessments were done at 0-, 3- and 6-month, with 12-month for CDI only. Baseline characteristics were balanced between groups, except for weight. Adjusting for weight and baseline SBP in intent-to-treat analysis, CDI achieved significant reductions (p < .05) in SBP (-15.3 mmHg; SE = 1.6) compared to WC (-11.8 mmHg, SE = 1.7). From 6 to 12 months, CDI maintained their SBP (mean change: 1.47 mmHg, SE = 1.26; p = .16) improvements at 12 months. CDI were more likely to achieve SBP reduction ≥ 10 mmHg than WC, 60% vs 48% (p = .03), respectively. A CDI based on the NH cultural dance significantly improved HTN management in NH with uncontrolled SBP. Improvements were comparable to the best proven non-medication treatment of HT. Key messages Improving elevated blood pressure control with at-risk populations can be effectively and innovatively achieved by utilizing culturally responsive strategies, such as cultural dance interventions. Leveraging and aligning community strengths and health objectives leads to innovation and empowerment.