Effectiveness of Mindfulness based intervention on Blood Pressure Control in Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

A major global health concern, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is exacerbated by hypertension, contributing to renal impairment and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in hemodialysis patients with intradialytic hypertension. This pilot study assessed the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in managing blood pressure among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Ten participants, selected from a tertiary hospital dialysis unit, were divided into experimental and control groups using a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design. While the control group continued with standard treatment, the experimental group engaged in an eight-week MBSR program. Blood pressure measurements were taken pre-, during, and post-dialysis using a calibrated mercury sphygmomanometer, with data analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent t-tests. The results indicated a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure in the experimental group (p = 0.02), while diastolic changes were not significant. Notably, systolic, and diastolic pressures were more stable in the experimental group during dialysis, contrasting with gradual increases in the control group. These differences became significant starting at 1.5 hours (p < 0.05). Clinical and demographic factors such as age, gender, duration of illness, and cause of renal failure were correlated with post-test blood pressure outcomes. The findings suggest that MBSR could be an effective adjunct therapy for managing blood pressure and improving clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients