The Effect of Non-Pharmacological Intervention on Psychological Determinants and Blood Pressure among Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

Background: New evidence highlights the impact of psychological determinants in somatic diseases. Poorly controlled hypertension was a significant public health concern all over the world. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological intervention on psychological determinants and blood pressure among hypertensive patients. Design: A quasi- experimental pre-test–post-test control group design has been implemented. Sample: A purposive sample has been used to select 202 subjects from the Internal Medicine out-patient clinic in El-Shohadaa Central Hospital at El-Shohadaa town, Menoufia governorate, Egypt. Tools: Four tools were used to collect the data; 1) Interviewing questionnaire to assess socio-demographic and clinical data of the patients. 2) Bio- physiological measurements to measure the body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 3) Health promotion lifestyle profile to assess readiness to change diet and exercise. 4) Beck depression inventory-II and perceived stress scale to assess psychological health determinants. Results: The study findings revealed a highly statistically significant reduction in a mean score of depression and, stress post-intervention among the study group compared to the baseline where P3 = 0.000. Also, there was a highly statistically significant improvement in a mean score of readiness to change exercise and, diet post- intervention among the study group compared to the baseline where (P3 = 0.000, P3 = 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that non-pharmacological intervention has a positive effect on blood pressure, patients' readiness to change diet, exercise and, psychological health determinants among hypertensive patients. Recommendations: Non-pharmacological intervention should be provided to hypertensive patients and other patients who suffer from chronic disease