Mindfulness-based intervention for hypertension patients with depression and/or anxiety in the community: a randomized controlled trial

Objective To evaluate mindfulness-based intervention for hypertension with depression and/or anxiety. Methods A 10-week mindfulness-based intervention, including health education about hypertension, which only for control group, was applied to intervention group to sooth sixty hypertension patients with depression/anxiety. Patients Health Questionnaire 9-items (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 items (GAD-7) were used to assess severity of depressive and/or anxiety; in conjunction with blood pressure (BP) measured twice daily. The study used the self-made self-efficacy scale and awareness of physical and mental health to evaluate the mental health and state. Results The depression PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scores reduced by 21.1% or 17.8% in the mindfulness-based intervention group, compared to the control ( Z =-2.040, P  = 0.041) post 10 week period, suggesting significant reduced anxiety/stress. These results were consistent with reduction of systolic BP of 12.24 mm Hg ( t  = 6.041, P  = 0.000). The self-efficacy score of the mindfulness intervention group was significantly improved compared to the control ( t  = 7.818, P <  0.001), while the awareness rate of physical and mental health of the mindfulness intervention group was significantly improved compared to the control ( χ 2  = 5.781, P  = 0.016). Conclusion Mindfulness-based intervention reduces the severity of depression and/or anxiety, improves BP in hypertensive patients, as well as, improved self-efficacy score. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900028258. Registered 16 December 2019, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=43627 .