A senior center-based pilot trial of the effect of lifestyle intervention on blood pressure in minority elderly people with hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To test the feasibility, acceptability, and effect of a senior center-based behavioral counseling lifestyle intervention on systolic blood pressure (BP).


METHODS
A pre-post design pilot trial of behavioral counseling for therapeutic lifestyle changes in minority elderly people with hypertension. Participants completed baseline visit, Visit 1 (approximately 6 weeks postbaseline), and a final study Visit 2 (approximately 14 weeks postbaseline) within 4 months.


METHODS
The study took place in six community-based senior centers in New York City with 65 seniors (mean age 72.29+/-6.92; 53.8% female; 84.6% African American).


METHODS
Sixty-five minority elderly people.


METHODS
Six weekly and two monthly "booster" group sessions on lifestyle changes to improve BP (e.g., diet, exercise, adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications).


METHODS
Primary outcome was systolic BP (SBP) measured using an automated BP monitor. Secondary outcomes were diastolic BP (DBP), physical activity, diet, and adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications.


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in average SBP of 13.0+/-21.1 mmHg for the intervention group (t(25)=3.14, P=.004) and a nonsignificant reduction in mean SBP of 10.6+/-30.0 mmHg for the waitlist control group (t(29)=1.95, P=.06). For the intervention group, adherence improved 26% (t(23)=2.31, P=.03), and vegetable intake improved 23% (t(25)=2.29, P=.03).


CONCLUSIONS
This senior center-based lifestyle intervention was associated with a significant reduction in SBP and adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications and diet in the intervention group. Participant retention and group attendance rates suggest that implementing a group-counseling intervention in senior centers is feasible.
Fernandez
Senaida
S
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10010, USA. senaida.fernandez@nyumc.org
Scales
Kasandra L
KL
Pineiro
Johanna M
JM
Schoenthaler
Antoinette M
AM
Ogedegbe
Gbenga
G
D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D009519:New York City; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior