Effect of Using Scheduled Qigong Exercise on Selected Clinical Outcomes among Patients with Hypertension

Aim: to examine the effect of using scheduled qigong exercise on clinical outcomes among patients with hypertension. Design: a quasi-experimental research design (study and control group "pretest and posttest") was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at the medical outpatient clinics of Menoufia University Hospital, Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample of 110 adult conscious patients diagnosed with hypertension Instruments: Three instruments were utilized as follows: Instrument one: Structured interviewing questionnaire, Instrument two: knowledge assessment questionnaire, and Instrument three: The perceived stress scale (PSS-10). Results: The mean age of patients was 40.87±6.78 & 40.78 ±6.19 years for the study and control group respectively. There was an improvement in the mean score of knowledge (27.31±2.23 VS 15.15±3.22) respectively and an improvement in the mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (119.36±8.87, 75.63±5.09 & 132.09±9.75, 86.36±5.13) after the implementation of qigong exercise than before. 96.4% % of study participants had high stress levels pre-intervention compared to 100% had no stress after the implementation of the qigong exercise. Conclusion: Significant reductions in systemic blood pressure and stress are seen with the use of qigong exercise among study group subjects as compared with the control group. Recommendations: Using qigong exercises should be encouraged as routine care in the hospital. Periodical training and teaching programs for nurses about qigong exercises and their benefits for lowering blood pressure among those who suffer from hypertension should be withheld.