The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Blood Pressure and Sleep Quality in Patients with Hypertension

Marjan Ghazanfari  Harandi; Ahmad  Sobhani

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i4.21153

Marjan Ghazanfari Harandi Master of Clinical Psychology, Department of Medicine, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
Ahmad Sobhani Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i4.21153

Keywords: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Blood Pressure, Sleep Quality, Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the major global health challenges that imposes a great burden on individuals and society. Few studies have investigated the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality, and none have been conducted simultaneously. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on blood pressure and sleep quality in patients with hypertension.

Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, control group and follow-up. The study population included patients with hypertension referred to Shariati Hospital in Isfahan. According to the inclusion criteria, 34 people were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The instruments included a demographic questionnaire, a Pittsburgh quality questionnaire and a suitable blood pressure monitor. Cognitive behavioral therapy was performed in 8,90-minute sessions over a month for the intervention group. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test and SPSS software version 27.

Results: Cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing diastolic and systolic blood pressure and increasing sleep quality (F=439/292, P<0/05) in patients with hypertension, and the results were generally stable at follow-up (F=237/053, P<0/05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study show that cognitive behavioral therapy can be associated with reducing blood pressure and improving sleep quality. Low-cost cognitive behavioral therapy can be used alongside drug therapy to improve the health of patients with hypertension.