The Effectiveness of SKT meditation on blood pressure levels among hypertension risk group in Wiang Subdistrict, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

Background:  Meditation therapy has been shown to reduce stress and subsequently decrease blood pressure levels.

Objective:  To determine the effectiveness of SKT 1 Meditation among hypertension risk groups.

Study design:  This quasi-experimental study employed a two-group, pretest-posttest design. The study was conducted among hypertension risk groups in Wiang Subdistrict, Wiang Pa Pao District, Chiang Rai Province. The 34 intervention groups practiced SKT 1 meditation for 8 weeks, while the 34 control groups received standard care. Research instruments included SKT 1 meditation practice, SKT 1 manual, case record form, questionnaires, and a satisfaction assessment form. Blood pressure was measured at baseline and the end of the 4, 8-week intervention. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling with repeated measures.

Results:  The results of blood pressure monitoring in the intervention groups compared to the control groups, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure (p <.05). After controlling for confounding factors such as gender, age, body mass index, occupation, smoking history, and family history of hypertension. The findings indicated that SKT 1 meditation therapy significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 1.95 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.35 mmHg (p=0.042, 0.017). The overall satisfaction with SKT 1 meditation therapy was at a high level by 82.4 percent. 

Conclusions: The SKT 1 meditation therapy was effective in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels among hypertension risk groups. Therefore, Healthcare professionals should recommend the SKT 1 meditation technique as a preventive and surveillance against hypertension.

Keywords:  SKT meditation therapy, SKT 1 meditation, hypertension risk group, hypertension, blood pressure levels