Can a biopsychosocial approach reduce blood pressure levels?

Abstract

To determine the effectiveness of a biopsychosocialintervention program, to reduce blood pressure levels. Methodology:Study with two randomly assigned groups (experimental group-EG- and control group -CG-), with intra and intergroup analysis,pre-post intervention. 94 controlled hypertension patients from aHealth Care Service from Cali, Colombia were included. Systolic(SBP) and Diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels measured at preand post-intervention. Results: SBP in EG reduced significantly(p=0.031), while DBP did not shows statistically significant differences after the application of the psychosocial intervention program,remaining in controlled levels. Comparing the groups, significant differences in SBP were found (p=0.021 y p=0.017) between EG and CG after intervention. No differences were found between young adults, intermediate adults and older adults, and between men and women. Conclusions: This study supports the evidence about cognitive- behavioral biopsychosocial interventions in multidisciplinary teams having significant effects in the reduction of hypertension levels.

Keywords

• Biopsychosocial intervention
• Arterial hypertension
• Health psychology
• Cognitive-behavioral approach