Effect of Theory-Based Training Intervention on Physical Activity and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Adherence to regular physical activity (PA) remains a challenge for hypertensive (HTN) patients. The present study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of theory-based training intervention on PA and blood pressure in HTN patients. Methods: The randomized control trial conducted at the healthy heart house in Shiraz, Iran, from January 2015 to January 2016 on 78 HTN patients (39 experimental group (EG) and 39 control group (CG). The exercise program for the EG included 30 minutes of fast walking at 40% to 60% of maximum heart rate reserve 5 days a week for 3 months. The study outcomes included PA stages of change, exercise self-efficacy (ESE), decisional balance, PA and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and were measured at the onset and at three months post-intervention. Results: Between baseline and three months post-intervention, a greater increase in PA was observed in the EG than in the CG, giving a mean difference of 872.50 metabolic equivalent (MET), p = 0.004. The mean change from baseline to three months post-intervention in 24-hour systolic and diastolic ABP were significant between the EG and CG (mean difference -9.48 mmHg, P = 0.007 and -4.51 mmHg, P = 0.010 respectively). In the EG, 35 subjects (89.7%) and in the CG, 8 subjects (20.5%) entered the stage of action. The mean change from baseline to three month post intervention in ESE and decisional balance was significant between the EG than the CG (mean difference = 20.20, P = 0.001 and 0.50, P = 0.024 respectively). Conclusions: Among HTN patients, a three-month Theory-based training intervention used was effective in increasing PA and reducing 24 hour ABP.