The Effects of Hand Moxibustion and Hand Press Pellet on Blood Pressure, Blood Lipids and Blood Cell Components in Aged Women with Essential Hypertension

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hand moxa and hand press pellet on blood pressure, blood lipids and blood cell components in elderly women. METHODS: This study was conducted as a quasi-experiment with none equivalent control group pre-post test design. The participants were elders who had essential hypertension. There were 18 members in the experimental group and 20 members in the control group. The experimental group received hand moxibustion and hand press pellet 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The results were analyzed using 2 test, t-test, Fisher's exact test and repeated measures ANOVA with the SPSS/WIN program. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in blood pressure in the experimental group compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed in total triglyceride, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol between the two groups. Differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit were not significant either. However, there were significant increases in RBC in the experimental group after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that combined hand therapy contributes to the decrease of blood pressure among the elderly with hypertension. Therefore combined hand therapy is recommended as a complementary nursing intervention strategy for the elderly with essential hypertension.