Efektivitas Terapi Hidroterapi terhadap Penurunan Tekanan Darah Pada Lansia Penderita Hipertensi – Literature Review

Introduction: High blood pressure is currently a frequently discussed health challenge and chronic issue; hypertension is a condition characterized by abnormally elevated blood pressure, leading to changes in the blood vessels. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of foot-soaking therapy, a form of hydrotherapy. Objective: This research represents an effort to explore and synthesize literature regarding hydrotherapy as a complementary therapy. Methods: This literature review analyzed nine articles comprising case studies, descriptive quantitative, pre-experimental, and quasi-experimental designs by mapping available evidence from four databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Garuda). Inclusion criteria focused on hypertension, hydrotherapy as a standalone intervention (without other interventions), articles published between 2022 and 2026, the elderly population, and open-access scientific articles. Results: The nine studies consistently reported a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure following hydrotherapy administration. The magnitude of the decrease ranged from 9–20 mmHg for systolic pressure and 4–10 mmHg for diastolic pressure. The greatest reduction was observed with a foot-soaking intervention at 40°C for 15 minutes daily over three consecutive days, resulting in a 20 mmHg drop in systolic pressure and a 10 mmHg drop in diastolic pressure. Conclusion: Hydrotherapy can be considered a safe, simple, cost-effective, and easily self-administered non-pharmacological nursing intervention suitable for the elderly or their families to serve as a supportive therapy alongside standard pharmacological treatment for hypertension.