Isometric Handgrip Exercise Versus Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Blood Pressure Reduction in Women with Primary Hypertension: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Hypertension remains a major global public health problem and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disorders. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly recommended as complementary strategies to control blood pressure. Isometric Handgrip Exercise (IHE) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) are simple, safe, and cost-effective interventions that may help reduce blood pressure among patients with primary hypertension. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Isometric Handgrip Exercise and Progressive Muscle Relaxation in reducing blood pressure among women with primary hypertension. A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest two-group design was conducted among 40 women with primary hypertension in the working area of Tanjung Batu Primary Health Center, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Participants were divided equally into an IHE group (n=20) and a PMR group (n=20). Participants were allocated into two intervention groups, consisting of the Isometric Handgrip Exercise (IHE) group and the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) group. Each group received the assigned intervention with the same duration and frequency, namely 20 minutes per session, three times weekly for a week. Blood pressure was measured before and after the interventions using a calibrated sphygmomanometer. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test, with a significance level of p<0.05. In the IHE group, median systolic blood pressure decreased from 157 mmHg to 120 mmHg (p=0.000), while in the PMR group it decreased from 156 mmHg to 130 mmHg (p=0.001). The median reduction in blood pressure was greater in the IHE group (37.00±7.25 mmHg) than in the PMR group (26.00±6.80 mmHg). A significant difference was observed between the two interventions (p=0.001). Both IHE and PMR effectively reduced blood pressure; however, IHE demonstrated greater effectiveness and may be recommended as a complementary nursing intervention for managing primary hypertension.