Comparison of Blood Pressure and Pulse Measurements to Tai Chi Exercise in Hypertensive Patients in East Jakarta

Abstract

Increasing prevalence of hypertension (HT) risk factors and number of uncontrolled blood pressure in hypertensive patient still being the focus in health care, especially in nursing promotive-preventive and rehabilitative care. Complementary and alternative nursing care aims to enhance patient awareness and empowerment in unique ways, for instance Tai Chi as mind-body exercise. This study aimed to compare blood pressure and pulse responses of hypertensive individuals to 60 minutes and 30 minutes Yang style Tai Chi exercise with control group. Fifty-seven participants in the study divided to three groups (60 minutes Tai Chi, 30 minutes Tai Chi, and control group) and included by purposive sampling for eighth weeks with once a week session. Blood pressure and pulse were measured in baseline and the eighth week, then analyzed with one-way ANOVA to compare three groups at baseline and eighth week measurements. The result show that there was no significant differences at baseline for all groups (SBP: p= 0.344; DBP: p= 0.118; Pulse: p= 0.506). However, there was a significant difference at eighth-week measurement for all variables (SBP: p= 0.025; DBP: p= 0.017; Pulse: p= 0.016). The study results suggest that Tai Chi is an effective exercise to lower and maintain blood pressure and pulse levels among hypertensive patient, and thus may be potential intervention to control hypertension.

Kinematics and biomechanics analysis of classic 24-style taijiquan

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Biomechanical Analysis of Tai Chi (Eight Methods and Five Steps) for Athletes’ Body Balance Control

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