The Effect of Eight Weeks of Massage on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and C-Reactive Protein in Women With Hypertension

Abstract

Background and Aim: Hypertension is a common disease and universal that can cause cardiovascular disease and kidney damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an eight-weeks massage on blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate and C-reactive protein in women with hypertension. Methods & Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, 44 volunteer women with Mean±SD age of 42.12±5.31years were selected from women referred to Arak Oil Company specialized polyclinic with hypertension. Four women excluded from the study for some reason, and the rest were divided into experimental and control groups. In massage group massage was done for three sessions per week, 45-60 minutes in each session, on the back and upper limbs for eight weeks. Data analysis was conducted using dependent and independent t-test by SPSS V. 25 statistical software at the significant level of (P≤0.05). Ethical Considerations: This study (Code: 92-160-26) was approved in Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Results: The results showed that eight weeks of massage reduced blood pressure (P=0.001), the heart rate (P=0.001), and C-reactive protein (P=0.001) in women with hypertension compared to the control group (P=0.62). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that massage for eight weeks is an efficient and appropriate method to improve systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and C-reactive protein in patients with hypertension.