An Effect of Qi Gong Gymnastics Program on the Physiopsychological Parameter in Essential Hypertension

Lee, Myoung Suk; Choi, Euy Soon

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of QiGong gymnastics exercise program in the physiopsychological parameter inessential hypertension. The design of the research was a one group pretest-posttest design. A total of 20 patients with hypertension who were from forty to sixty-five years old participated in the study. The Qi Gong gymnastics program was carried out twice a week for thirty minutes or forty minutes for six weeks from 22, Sep. to 31, Oct. in 1997. In order to evaluate the effect of the QiGong gymnastics program physiological parameter(blood pressure, pulse rate, FVC, FEV1, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Cortisol) and psychological parameter(self-efficacy, Life satisfaction) were measured before and after the exercise program. Collected data was analyzed by the paired t-test with SAS package. The result are as follows: 1) There were significant decrease in systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure, but there was no significant change in pulse rate. 2) There were no significant difference in FVC and FEV1. 3) There were significant decrease in epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. 4) There were significant improved in general self-efficacy and life satisfaction. 5) The effect of QiGong gymnastics program by measurement time on blood pressure and pulse rate were as follows: In a systolic blood pressure was gradually significant decreased from 1 week to 6 weeks and diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased after 4 weeks. But there was no significant in pulse rate. This results suggest that QiGong gymnastics are an appropriate nursing intervention for clients with hypertension. For further research is necessary to reevaluate the effect with a letter experimental design and longer period than 8 weeks for the QiGong gymnastics program.