title: Nonpharmacologic intervention to reduce blood pressure in older patients with mild hypertension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although nonpharmacologic interventions are widely recommended in the therapy of high blood pressure in older adults, surprisingly little data exist to confirm the efficacy of these interventions in older persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial in persons aged 60 to 85 years with a diastolic blood pressure of 85 to 100 mm Hg. The experimental arm was a nonpharmacologic intervention combining weight reduction, sodium restriction, and increased physical activity. The nonpharmacologic intervention consisted of eight weekly group and two individual sessions during the intensive phase, followed by four monthly group sessions during the maintenance phase. The control group received no treatment during the study. Blood pressure was assessed by certified technicians (blinded to group assignment) using random zero sphygmomanometers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 56 participants randomized, 47 completed the entire 6-month trial (21 in the intervention group and 26 in the control group). Attendance at the intervention sessions was excellent. The intervention group lost more weight (-2.1 kg) over 6 months than the control group (+0.3 kg). Trends for decreasing 24-hour urine sodium excretion in both the intervention and control groups, with greater trend in the intervention group, were not statistically significant. The intervention group experienced more reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than did the control group (mean differences between groups at 6 months, 4.2/4.9 mm Hg, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate that a nonpharmacologic intervention will lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in older people with borderline or mild elevations of diastolic blood pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Applegate
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Elam
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Cushman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: el Derwi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Graney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance