Effects of a mindfulness learning program on blood pressure control in Thai patients with hypertension
Chonlakarn Songsri, Pimwalunn Aryuwat, Watjana Sukontawat, Kanocnart Turakawin, Prasart Nuangchalerm
International Journal of ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.21833/ijaas.2026.07.017 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study Randomized Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Patients with blood pressure readings ≥140/90 mmHg recruited from Sakhrai Hospital, Nong Khai Province, Thailand |
| Interventions | health education mindfulness practice hypertension-specific exercise |
| Duration | 12-week program |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The 12-week mindfulness learning program was associated with significant improvements in hypertension awareness, stress levels, and blood pressure: awareness rose from 65.6% low to 100% high, low stress from 62% to 96.6%, systolic blood pressure fell from 132.36 to 128.17 mmHg, and diastolic from 72.83 to 68.86 mmHg. The authors suggest mindfulness may be a culturally appropriate complementary approach but note findings require confirmation through randomized controlled trials. |
Abstract
Hypertension is a significant public health challenge in Thailand, affecting approximately 60% of older adults and contributing substantially to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week mindfulness learning program on blood pressure control, hypertension awareness, self-care behaviors, and stress levels in patients with hypertension. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was used with 58 patients with blood pressure readings ≥140/90 mmHg recruited from Sakhrai Hospital, Nong Khai Province, Thailand. The program included hypertension self-assessment and goal-setting, health education, mindfulness practice, hypertension-specific exercise, telemedicine follow-up via the LINE application, and final evaluation. Data were collected using validated instruments. Statistically significant improvements were observed across all measured parameters. Hypertension awareness increased from predominantly low levels (65.6%) to high levels (100%), while low stress increased from 62% to 96.6%. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from 132.36 to 128.17 mmHg and from 72.83 to 68.86 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings identified four themes: integration into daily routines, perceived physical benefits, social support, and implementation challenges. These findings suggest that mindfulness may provide a culturally appropriate complementary approach to hypertension management in rural Thai settings. However, the findings require confirmation through randomized controlled trials.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Blood Pressure, Mental Health, and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Adult Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study. The journal of Tehran Heart Center July 1, 2022
- Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on people with prehypertension or hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC cardiovascular disorders February 14, 2024
- A Delphi consensus of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for managing anxiety and blood pressure in hypertensive patient protocol International Journal of Nursing and Health Services October 20, 2023
- Mindfulness Exercises Reduce Acute Physiologic Stress Among Female Clinicians. Critical care explorations November 1, 2024
- Mindful Meditation: A Potential Effective Therapeutic in Clinical Practice Science Insights July 22, 2024
and 2 more in the library