1Department of Nursing, Woo-Suk University 2College of Nursing, Seoul National University
Abstract
Purpose: To improve self-management in elderly people with hypertension, the researcher examined the effects of an abdominal relaxed breathing exercises using biofeedback on blood pressure. These exercises regulate physical response to stress and lessen the activity of sympathetic nerves. Method: A single-experimental pre-and post-test design was used. Eight elderly people with hypertension participated in the study from April, 6 to June, 14, 2000. Biofeedback was done with soft ware by developed by J & J Company (1-410 form for abdominal respiration training). The abdominal relaxed breathing exercises are based on Mason's suggestion (1985) and were modified by Yu & Song(2001). This program consisted of 4 sessions once a week for four weeks. Data were analysed using SPSSPC+(10.0). Result: There was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure over three different times. There was a significant difference in the level of total stress response, overall health and quality of life but no significant difference in the level of emotional condition over three different times. Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to the development of nursing strategies for the regulation of blood pressure in older people as the exercises are easy to learn and are a nonpharmacologic approach.
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