The Effects of Deep Breathing on Blood Pressure Reduction in Elderly Hypertensive Patients at a Retirement Home in Surabaya

Abstract

Introduction: The hypertension incidences in the elderly does not only cause stroke but also an increase
in the mortality rate. The elderly who suffer from hypertension require further therapy to lower their blood
pressure levels. One of the self-therapies that nurses can provide to hypertensive patients is deep breathing
therapy. This study aims to determine the effects of deep breathing therapy in the elderly with hypertension.
Method: This study employed a quasi-experimental research design with two groups of pretest-posttest
design. A total of 12 research samples were divided into two groups: the treatment group and the control
group, each group consisted of six respondents. The research instruments utilized were a questionnaire,
SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of breathing techniques, blood pressure measurement tools
(sphygmomanometer and stethoscope) and observation sheets on blood pressure measurement. The data
were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test.
Results: All of the respondents in the study were women aged 55 years old or older. The mean value of
systolic blood pressure before being given the intervention was 158.33 mmHg in the treatment group and
157.69 mmHg in the control group. The analysis with an Independent t-test between the control group and
the treatment group indicated p = 0.002 (?<0.05) as the difference in systolic blood pressure between the two
groups. The treatment group experienced a drop in blood pressure by 10-30 mmHg.
Conclusion: Deep breathing therapy effectively reduces blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension by
consistent interventions for seven consecutive days.