Self identity through Ho'oponopono as adjunctive therapy for hypertension management.
OBJECTIVE
Self Identity through Ho'oponopono is a step-by-step problem-solving approach to identify and relieve stress. The objective of this study was to determine if Self Identity through Ho'oponopono along with standard medical therapy might better control hypertension than standard therapy alone.


METHODS
Twenty-three Asian, Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders from a local community in Hawaii participated in a longitudinal design comparing pre- and post-intervention measures of blood pressure.


METHODS
Participants attended a half-day class on Self Identity through Ho'oponopono to learn ways to create balance and correct stress through an understanding of their own self identity. Participants learned processes to care for themselves through repentance, forgiveness, and transmutation and how to apply the processes in their daily lives.


METHODS
Repeated blood pressure measurements were compared before and after the intervention using generalized estimating equations; two spirituality questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention and analyzed with paired


RESULTS
Systolic blood pressure decreased after the intervention, averaging 11.86 mm Hg below pre-intervention levels. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 5.44 mm Hg. Spirituality scores significantly increased after the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Self Identity through Ho'oponopono was associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in mean blood pressure. Spirituality scores increased after the intervention. We conclude that Self Identity through Ho'oponopono may be an effective adjunctive therapy for hypertension. Further research is needed to validate these preliminary findings.
Kretzer
Kikikipa
K
University of Hawaii at Mãnoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96824, USA. kretzer@hawaii.edu
Davis
James
J
Easa
David
D
Johnson
Julie
J
Harrigan
Rosanne
R
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D029181:Spirituality; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents