Effectiveness of Cold Spinal Spray on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Hypertension—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The application of cold to the spine is documented as favourable for reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension (HTN). However, hydriatic application in the form of a cold spinal spray (CSS) has not yet been explored.Objective: To find the effectiveness of CSS on cardio autonomic variables among males with HTN. Methods: One hundred male patients with HTN visiting the outpatient service were included in this randomized controlled trial. A single session of CSS (15°C–19°C) was given to 50 patients for a period of 20 minutes for the study group, and the control group was made to lie down on the spinal spray tub for 20 minutes without any intervention. Baseline blood pressure and short-term heart rate variability (HRV) measurements were obtained prior to the intervention, followed by a subsequent assessment after a 20-minute interval for both groups. Results: Following 20 minutes of CSS a significant decrease was observed in systolic blood pressure (136.48±14.15 mmHg to 126.20±13.18 mmHg, p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (87.96±6.77 mmHg to 84.06±6.84 mmHg, p<0.006), pulse pressure (48.44±11.99 mmHg to 42.08±10.88 mmHg, p<0.007), and mean arterial pressure (104.09±8.12 mmHg to 98.05±7.88 mmHg, p<0.001). No significant changes were noted in HRV variables in either of the two patient groups. Conclusion: The current study findings suggest that a single session of CSS intervention could lower both systolic & diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure in male hypertensive patients. Further studies are needed to find the long-term effect of CSS among patients with HTN.