Effects of Ruesi Dadton (self-stretching for chest exercise) training on blood pressure, heart rate and cardiopulmonary function in elderly subjects with primary (essential) hypertension

Authors

  • Wanlapa Leelananthakul Department of applied Thai traditional medicine, Faculty of medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
  • Nareewan Saman Department of applied Thai traditional medicine, Faculty of medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
  • Sataporn Isasawin Department of applied Thai traditional medicine, Faculty of medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
  • Siriporn Obsuntorn Department of applied Thai traditional medicine, Faculty of medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
  • Suwanna Maenpuen Department of applied Thai traditional medicine, Faculty of medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand

Keywords:

Ruesi Dadton, self-stretching for chest exercise, hypertension, blood pressure, heart rate, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), older person

Abstract

Introduction: Controlled blood pressure can contribute to reduce mortality rate and serious complications. Thai hermit exercise (self-stretching for chest exercise) programs (30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks) for healthy Thais 50 to 90 years of age revealed that after 4 weeks, post-test group had significantly decrease (p < 0.05) in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure compared to pre-test group. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate effect of Ruesi Dadton (self-stretching for chest exercise) training on blood pressure, heart rate and cardiopulmonary function among older persons with primary (essential) hypertension.

Method: A pre-experimental clinical research study was designed. Subjects included twenty-three with primary hypertension, aged 60 years or over. Exercise programs were approximately 30 minutes per session by a well-trained instructor, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Before and after exercise, subjects were assessed for 6-minute walk test, fatigue score, heart rate and blood pressure. Significant difference level was set at 0.05 level.

Result: The findings revealed that after 4 weeks, post-test group had significantly decrease (p < 0.001, 0.001, 0.05 and 0.01 respectively) in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fatigue score compared to pre-test group. Post-test group showed significantly increase (p < 0.001) in 6-minute walk test compared with pre-test group.

Conclusion: Ruesi Dadton (self-stretching for chest exercise) training for 4 weeks had greater positive effects on decreasing heart rate and improving blood pressure and cardiopulmonary function for the elderly with primary (essential) hypertension. These findings indicate that Ruesi Dadton (self-stretching for chest exercise) training may be a non-pharmacological strategy for the control of blood pressure in the elderly.

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Published

2019-06-21

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2019): April - June

Section

Original Articles