Effects of a single-session massage for sedentary older women with prehypertension: a pilot study
Abstract
Background: One of the consequences of population aging is the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, including hypertension. Massage has been recognized as effective in the prevention and mitigation of the disease. Objective: To identify the effects of a single-session massage on blood pressure and heart rate in older women with prehypertension. Methods: The intervention consisted of one 60-minute session of Swedish massage. Fifty-eigth sedentary older women with prehypertension were treated. Blood pressure and heart rate were collected immediately before and after the intervention. Results: Systolic blood pressure decreased 13% (p=0.022), while diastolic blood pressure decreased 9.4% (p=0.002). Heart rate decreased 17% (p=0.038). Conclusion: A single session of Swedish massage was effective in reducing blood pressure and heart rate. Such intervention can be useful to provide safer levels of arterial blood pressure in sedentary older women with prehypertension.
Published
Jul 17, 2015
How to Cite
CAROMANO, Fátima Aparecida et al.
Effects of a single-session massage for sedentary older women with prehypertension: a pilot study.
International Archives of Medicine, [S.l.], v. 8, july 2015.
ISSN 1755-7682.
Available at: <http://imed.pub/ojs/index.php/iam/article/view/1212>. Date accessed: 23 apr. 2021.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3823/1757.
Issue
Section
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Keywords
massage, blood pressure, heart rate, aging, women

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