Effect of a nurse‐led hypertension management program on quality of life, medication adherence and hypertension management in older adults: A randomized controlled trial

Aim This study evaluated the effects of a nurse‐led hypertension management program on quality of life, medication adherence and hypertension management in older adults. Methods A total of 74 hypertensive older adults residing in two different nursing homes were randomized to the intervention group ( n = 37) or control group ( n = 37). The intervention group participated in a training program consisting of 20 weeks of health education and motivational meetings. Data were collected using a hypertension management knowledge and behavior questionnaire, quality of life scale, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, and measurements of blood pressure and anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed using the χ 2 ‐test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and Mann–Whitney U ‐test. Results Post‐test systolic (118.64 ± 10.04 mmHg) and diastolic (77.83 ± 5.34 mmHg) blood pressures, and total cholesterol levels (178.43 ± 25.59 mg/dL) were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (130.54 ± 15.08 mmHg, 82.70 ± 7.69 mmHg, 200.7 ± 34.57 mg/dL, respectively). Post‐test hypertension knowledge score (20.75 ± 1.01), medication adherence rate (100.0%), and quality of life scale physical component (58.42 ± 13.93) and mental component (64.24 ± 12.85) scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (12.21 ± 2.48; 64.9%; 44.36 ± 16.73; 53.93 ± 15.71, respectively). In addition, mean post‐test body mass index (27.19 ± 4.62 kg/m 2 ), weight (74.81 ± 15.33 kg), waist circumference (93.29 ± 15.20 cm), hip circumference (107.67 ± 14.05 cm) and total cholesterol (178.43 ± 25.59 mg/dL) values were lower than pretest (28.13 ± 4.96 kg/m 2 ; 77.37 ± 16.56 kg; 97.83 ± 16.23 cm; 112.89 ± 14.37 cm; 194.78 ± 38.64 mg/dL, respectively) in the intervention group. Conclusions The nurse‐led hypertension management program implemented in this study provides an example of an effective program to guide nurses who work with older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1182–1189 .