Effectiveness of Music Therapy on Reducing Blood Pressure among Elderly People with Hypertension Residing in Selected Geriatric Homes at Dindigul District, Tamilnadu

Hypertension has long been recognised as a modifiable risk factor causing cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths worldwide. It is one of the most common lifestyle diseases and considered to be a silent killer. Among the geriatric population hypertension is a major problem, presenting the risk of multiple associated co-morbidities. One in every three senior citizen living in old age homes in urban area is diagnosed with hypertension due to many causes. Music therapy helps to reduce the blood pressure among elderly people. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of music therapy on reducing blood pressure among elderly people. A quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test approach with non- equivalent control group design was adopted to assess the effectiveness of the music therapy among 60 patients (30 patients each in the experimental and control group) at old age home Vellodu, Mariya Anthonia old age home and St Joseph' s home for aged, Kodairoad. The elderly patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected as samples based on a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The study revealed that the calculated unpaired ' t' value for the post-test systolic were, t= 9.461 and diastolic t = -11.180, respectively, which showed a very high statistical significance at p'lt;0.001 level. An older adult with hypertension can reduce blood pressure with music therapy, a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and cost-effective intervention.