Effect of DASH Diet and Acupuncture on Hypertension in Postmenopausal Women | ||||
| Benha International Journal of Physical Therapy | ||||
| Volume 3, Issue 1, June 2025, Page 113-125 PDF (522.38 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/bijpt.2025.359072.1067 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Alaa N. Elsayed  1; Soheir M. El-kosery 2; Hossam H. Kamel3; Manal A. El-Shafei 4
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| 1Abu Hammad General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Egypt. | ||||
| 2Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. | ||||
| 3Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| 4Department of Physical Therapy for Women’s Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Nearly two-thirds of older women suffer from cardiovascular disease, which is most commonly caused by hypertension. Purpose: To examine the combined effect of a dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and acupuncture on postmenopausal hypertension. Methods: Forty-five postmenopausal women suffering from hypertension participated in the study. They were randomly divided into three equal groups (A, B & C): Group A received the DASH diet and antihypertensive medications, Group B received acupuncture and antihypertensive medications, and Group C received the DASH diet, acupuncture, and antihypertensive medications. All women were assessed before and after the intervention using a mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope to measure their blood pressure level and an SF-36 questionnaire to evaluate their quality of life. Results: A significant improvement in all assessed outcomes in all groups post-treatment compared to baseline was detected (p<0.05). Significant changes post-treatment was detected across three groups in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (p<0.05). The post hoc test indicated a significant change in the mean value of SBP, DBP, and MAP between groups B and C in favor of group C. Also, no statistically significant change in the mean values of all SF-36 questionnaire items was found across three groups post-treatment except in the role limitation due to physical health, vitality, and general health items, with superiority of group C. Conclusion: Adding a DASH diet to acupuncture provided a better reduction of blood pressure and enhanced quality of life in hypertensive postmenopausal women. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Acupuncture; DASH diet; Hypertension; Postmenopausal women | ||||
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