A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Guided Imagery on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Pregnant Women
Year: 2008
Type: dissertation
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: Hypertension occurs in nearly 10% of pregnancies, and is associated with infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. Prior studies of non-pregnant adults have demonstrated the effectiveness of a variety of relaxation therapies in reducing blood pressure. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted, the purposes of which were 1) to provide preliminary evidence regarding the usefulness of guided imagery (GI) in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive pregnant women, and 2) to answer feasibility questions for a larger trial. \n\tPregnant women with hypertension prior to 37 weeks gestation (n = 69) were randomized to either 15-minute periods of guided imagery (n = 34), or of quiet rest (QR) (n = 35), twice daily for four weeks or until delivery, whichever came first. Daytime ambulatory mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, anxiety, rest and GI use were measured weekly, to a maximum of four weeks. Sixty women completed at least one week in the study; 46.4% completed four weeks. Compliance was excellent. \n\tIntention to treat analysis was used. In the unadjusted analysis, women allocated to GI had significantly lower average daytime ambulatory mean MAP elevations from baseline to their last week of study participation than women allocated to quiet rest (GI: M = 1.58 mmHg, SD = 7.63; QR: M = 5.93 mmHg, SD = 6.55; t = 2.36, p = .02). However, the effect was no longer statistically significant (p = 0.14) when adjusted for baseline mean arterial pressure and gestation. There was no statistically significant difference in the numbers of women who were prescribed antihypertensive medication after randomization (GI: n = 16, QR: n = 13, X2 = 0.74, p = .46). There was also no evidence of an effect of guided imagery on anxiety.\n\tNearly 90% (n = 26) of the guided imagery group indicated they would use it again, either in a subsequent pregnancy or during stressful life events. Given the ease of use, low cost, acceptability to women, and lack of risk of guided imagery, an adequately-powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Authors: Wight Moffatt, Faith
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2583356905