Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy as a Complement to Pharmacological Treatment in the Control of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Lima, Peru.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for improving blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive adult patients at a health center in Lima, Peru.

Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a quantitative and longitudinal cohort approach. The participants included 50 adults who were diagnosed with hypertension and who regularly attended the health center in the Villa El Salvador district of Lima, Peru. The data were collected using three instruments: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), validated in Peru; a sociodemographic questionnaire; and a BP recording sheet. The Wilcoxon test was utilized to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy on BP control, while the nonparametric Friedman test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy considering confounding factors.

Results: Therapy resulted in favorable outcomes for BP control. After eight sessions, the average systolic BP decreased from 122.8 to 115.0 mm Hg (a reduction of 7%), and the average diastolic BP decreased from 78.1 to 69.9 mm Hg (a reduction of 11%).

Conclusions: Mindfulness is an effective complementary therapy for controlling BP in hypertensive adults. It also helps reduce confounding factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression.