A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Guided Imagery Technique on Blood Pressure Stress and QOL among Hypertensive Patients in Selected Rural Areas in Community Health Centre at Ambilikkai

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most common worldwide diseases afflicting humans and is a major risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction, vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Despite extensive research over the past several decades, the etiology of most cases of adult hypertension is still unknown, and control of blood pressure is suboptimal in the general population. Due to the associated morbidity and mortality and cost to society, preventing and treating hypertension is an important public health challenge. Although drug treatment is often necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient. Even moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure is associated with a shortened life expectancy. This study examined the effect of guided imagery visualization on blood pressure (BP), stress, Quality of life (QOL) of individuals with essential hypertension. The main objective of the study was reducing the blood pressure, stress and enhancing the QOL in rural hypertensive patients. Methods: 200 rural hypertensive subjects participated in this study in which 100 for study group and 100 for control group were recruited through simple lottery method. True experimental design was chosen for the study. Bp assessment was done by using sphygmomanometer. Perceived stress scale was used to assess the stress levels. WHO QOL 26 questions rating scale was used to assess the QOL. Pre packaged DVD and audio compact disc (CD) guided imagery relaxation were used for the relaxation. Control group were on usual care. Hypertensive subjects who were not exposed to guided imagery did not have significant changes in blood pressure, stress and QOL. These results suggest that more attention needs to be paid to the mental health situation of hypertensive patients in order to reduce their stress and to improve their quality of life. Conclusions: Guided imagery (GI) is an effective adjunctive therapy in reducing blood pressure, stress and in improving QOL in essential hypertensive patients. newline