Tai Chi Training and Educational Intervention Improved Self-care Behaviors and Lowered Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Outpatients

Purpose: Self-care is important for numerous reasons. Self-care can reduce health costs, improve patient quality of life, and increase mental well-being. Self-care is also a mediating factor of chronic disease and increases patient confidence when facing challenges associated with the disease. However, how to improve blood pressure control and promote self-care behaviors in hypertensive cohorts is not as well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two interventions (Tai chi training and educational program) in lowering blood pressure and improving selfcare behaviors.Methods: A quasi-experimental, two-group repeated-measures design was used. The control group (n=31) received standard medical treatment as prescribed by a supervising physician. The experimental group (n=27) received an eight-week Tai chi training and educational intervention. Self-care behavior was measured by the Self-Help Questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured at three time-points: a baseline prior to study commencement, week four, and week eight of the study.Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in self-care behavior (F= 6.28, P=0. 000), self-efficacy (F=3.23, P=0.001), and quality of life (F=5.44, P=0.002), as well as a significant reduction between in systolic blood pressure (t=2.57, p<0 .001) and diastolic blood pressure (t=2.86, p <0.001) compared to the control group.Conclusions: The results are encouraging and suggest that Tai Chi training and educational program may be effective in lowering blood pressure and increasing self-care behaviors in hypertensive outpatients.