Effects of self-management programs on blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aim: To assess the effects of self-management interventions on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension.

Background: Effective treatment of hypertension may require the practice of self-management behaviours. However, evidence on effects of self-management interventions on blood pressure, self-efficacy, medication adherence and body mass index in older adults with hypertension is lacking.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid-Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and other sources were searched to October 2020.

Review methods: Data were analysed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 and quality assessment was done using ROB 2.0. The pooled effect sizes were reported as Hedges' g values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects model.

Results: Twelve randomized controlled trials met our inclusion criteria. The results revealed that self-management interventions significantly decreased blood pressure and increased self-efficacy and medication adherence in older adult patients with hypertension, with no significant effect on body mass index.

Conclusions: Self-management interventions have considerable beneficial effects in older adults with hypertension. Health care providers should implement self-management interventions to strengthen the patient's role in managing their health.