The effect of the cognitive behavioral group therapy based on mindful walking with the dialectical behavior therapy on psychological symptoms, quality of life and blood pressure in people with hypertension

The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of the cognitive behavioral group therapy based on mindful walking with the dialectical behavior therapy on psychological symptoms, quality of life and blood pressure in people with hypertension.

High blood pressure can cause kidney failure and eye problems. High blood pressure is a health problem in industrialized and developing countries due to its high prevalence and association with cardiovascular diseases.

The present study was conducted based on a semi-experimental pre-test post-test design with two experimental groups and one control group. Out of 87 volunteers, 45 patients were allocated to three groups based on random sampling. Data collection tools were the Beck Depression Questionnaires (1960), the Beck Anxiety Questionnaire (1990), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy based on the Leahy Group Conscious Mind Walk (2011) and Dialectical Behavior therapy (Linehan, 1993) were implemented as interventions. Data were collected and analyzed in SPSS version 22 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The results indicated a statistically significant difference of the effects of the two interventions with control group in terms of depression, anxiety, quality of life, and blood pressure (P≤0.0001). Also, the cognitive behavioral group therapy based on mindful walking had a greater effect on the quality of life and blood pressure of hypertensive patients compared with the dialectical behavior therapy.

  To improve the quality of life and reduce the blood pressure of hypertensive patients, it is better to benefit from the cognitive behavioral group therapy based on mindful walking and to reduce the cognitive symptoms (depression and anxiety) of hypertensive patients, dialectical behavior therapy is beneficial.