hypertension

Objective: this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral based stress management training and positive therapy on self-regulation behaviors of females with primary hypertension. Method: In this semi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and control group, 48 women with primary hypertension were randomized in control (n = 16), positive therapy (n = 16) and stress management (n = 16) groups. All participants completed standard self-regulation behaviors questionnaire before and after interventions. The intervention groups received cognitive-behavioral based stress management training program for eight sessions. The control group did not receive any intervention during research. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive and inferential statistical methods (ANCOVA). Results: The findings indicated level of self-regulatory behaviors significantly increased in the intervention groups in compare to control group (P> 0.05). Comparison of intervention group revealed superior effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral based stress management program versus positive therapy (Mean difference=28.13, P>0.05) Conclusion: cognitive-behavioral stress management training and positive therapy are effective on the self-regulation behaviors of women with primary hypertension. Improvement of self-regulation behaviors through psychological programs such as cognitive-behavioral stress management training and positive therapy reduce the burden of disease and enhance treatment adherence.

Background: Adropin is a newly identified bioactive protein that is important in energy hemostasis and vascular endothelial function. Aim : The purpose of the present study was to investigate plasma levels of adropin and nitrite/nitrate (NO), in elderly treated hypertensive subjects at baseline and follow-up after 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Material and Methods: Forty-four elderly participants with treated hypertensives (age 61.09±5.82 years, 25 male and 19 female, BMI= 25.7±1.31 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to either the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or control group. The HIIT group received an intervention consisting of 10 intervals of 1.5 min at 85% to 90% of their heart rate reserve (HRR), separated by 2 min of rest at 50% to 55% of their HRR, in three sessions per week for a duration of six weeks. Plasma levels of adropin and NO were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The statistical analysis was performed by two-way repeated ANOVA to determine differences between groups and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine correlation. Results: The results showed that, following the six-week HIIT intervention, the plasma levels of adropin and NO significantly increased when compared to both control group ( P = 0.0016) and the baseline ( P = 0.0003) measurements. Peak oxygen consumption was increased after exercise training compared to the control group ( P =0.005). Δ adropin in the HIIT group showed a positive correlation with increased Δ NO (r= 0.707, P = 0.002) and Δ VO 2 peak (r= 0.836, P = 0.001), and a negative correlation with Δ DBP (r= 0.643, P = 0.025) and Δ SBP (r= 0.691, P = 0.013). Conclusions: The study findings suggests that HIIT can enhance both blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness. The observed increase in plasma level of adropin may have contributed to reduction of blood pressure by promoting nitric oxide production.