The Effect of Combined Five Fingers and Rhythmic Breathing Therapy on Blood Pressure Reduction in Elderly People with Hypertension in the Muara Bangkahulu Community Health Center Bengkulu City

Abstrak

Hypertension is a chronic cardiovascular disorder characterized by an increase in blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher. This condition is prevalent among older adults due to natural aging and lifestyle-related risk factors. Globally, approximately one in two adults over the age of 50 suffers from hypertension, with a significant proportion residing in Asia. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to severe complications, including stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as relaxation techniques, have been shown to support blood pressure control. This study aimed to determine the effect of combining Five Fingers and Rhythmic Breathing therapy on blood pressure reduction among elderly individuals with hypertension. A quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group was used, involving 40 respondents selected through random sampling. The intervention group received Five Fingers and Rhythmic Breathing therapy three times per week for two weeks, while the control group received autogenic relaxation. Blood pressure measurements were obtained using a sphygmomanometer, and data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed a significant difference in both systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.040) blood pressure between groups after the intervention. These findings suggest that the combined Five Fingers and Rhythmic Breathing therapy effectively reduces blood pressure among elderly individuals with hypertension. The intervention is simple, safe, non-invasive, and can be practiced independently at home. This approach can be recommended as an adjunct non-pharmacological therapy in hypertension management.