A randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of arm-swing exercise and low sodium intake education program with low sodium intake education alone on blood pressure, heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women with prehypertension

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a serious public health problem in both economically developing and developed countries because it is one of the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. People with prehypertension are more likely to develop full-blown hypertension which is more likely to develop associated health problems. Thus, early prevention of hypertension is very important to decrease the burden of diseases. Particulary, postmenopausal women who have changed in hormonal system effecting on risk of cardiovascular diseases. There is one of exercises that people with prehypertension in rural can perform more easily; Arm Swing Exercise is a kind of Chinese exercise that may improve blood pressure reduction and suitable for them. However, there has been no study concerning the effect and mechanism of this mode of arm-swing exercise on blood pressure reduction in persons with prehypertension in rural area. The objective of the research was to compare the effects of arm swing exercise and low sodium intake education program with low sodium intake education alone on blood pressure, heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women with prehypertension. Methods: This study was conducted using a randomized control trial. Participants were postmenopausal women with systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg. The 84 participants were randomly assigned into two groups, one experimental group, and one control group. Each group consisted of 42 persons. During the 12 weeks, the arm swing exercise program was performed by the experimental group. The experimental group received low sodium intake education and performed the arm swing exercise program. While the control group received low sodium intake education alone. Blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiorespiratory fitness (estimated VO2max) were measured at the beginning of the study and after the three and six months in training. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Independent t-test, Paired t-test and Repeated measures ANOVA with multiple comparison. Results : the findings revealed that at three months, six months after completing the arm-swing exercise program, the mean of systolic blood pressure in the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group(p<.05), but the mean of diastolic blood pressure in the experimental group was not significantly different with the control group(p>.05). The finding also revealed that the mean of heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness in the experimental group was improved from baseline but was not significantly different with the control group. However, It was found that the direct effects of time and interaction effect of treatment by time in systolic blood pressure, heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly different between different time points in the experimental group (p<.01,p<.01,p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: The arm swing exercise program had effects on systolic blood pressure reduction and cardiorespiratory fitness improvement in postmenopausal women with prehypertension. Thus, the arm-swing exercise had health benefits for postmenopausal women with prehypertension. It could conclude that the self-regulated arm swing exercise program can support postmenopausal women with prehypertension to conduct arm swing exercise continuously and achieve to reduce high blood pressure level and raise their cardiorespiratory fitness. This intervention program consisted of knowledge and practical protocols integrated self-regulation concept in the exercise program. Healthcare providers can apply this program in postmenopausal women with prehypertension.