The effect of light massage and Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique interventions on blood pressure among hypertension patients in Indonesia

Abstract

Hypertension remains a significant global public health concern. Non-pharmacological interventions such as light massage and the Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) offer potential avenues to mitigate sustained increases in blood pressure among patients with hypertension. However, research exploring these methods as alternative therapies, particularly in Indonesia, is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of light massage and SEFT on the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals. Employing a quasi-experimental design with a time series approach, the study utilized purposive sampling to select 27 participants. Light massage and SEFT were considered independent variables, while blood pressure served as the dependent variable. Data analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA tests. The results revealed significant differences in mean blood pressure before and after the light massage intervention (p-values: 0.002, <0.001, <0.001). The intervention sessions yielded the most significant results (p-values: <0.001, 0.002, <0.001), whereas no differences were observed in the control group (systolic and Mean Arterial Pressure, MAP, p-values: 0.012 and 0.017, respectively). Notably, there were discrepancies in mean blood pressure before and after interventions in both the light massage and SEFT groups, indicating a potential benefit of these interventions. Conversely, no such differences were noted in the control group. These results highlight the potential benefits of integrating light massage and SEFT into holistic approaches for managing hypertension, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.