Effects of an educational intervention on the quality of life of the hypertensive patient
Barrón-Rivera, A.J.; Torreblanca-Roldán, F.L.; Sánchez-Casanova, L.I.; Martínez-Beltrán, M.
Salud Publica de Mexico 40(6): 503-509
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-3634 PMID: 9927886 Document Number: 494335
To evaluate the effect of an educational program on the quality of life of the hypertensive patient. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 150 adult hypertensive patients who were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group received a short educational program on hypertension and the effects on the patients life style, specifically concerning their control of the disease. The control group did not receive the educational program. Quality of life of both groups was determined by an analogous visual scale, before and 6 months after the educational program. Data were analyzed by the paired t- and Wilcoxon tests. The degree of improvement with respect to physical strength and emotional condition differed between groups (p < 0.05). In the areas of thought capacity, social participation, perceived quality of life and sexual function only the experimental group showed changes (p < 0.05). An educational program is effective to modify the quality of life of the hypertensive patient.