DANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION: A CASE STUDY OF PATIENTS IN ABOKOBI HEALTH CENTRE, GA-EAST MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY.

ABSTRACT The study sought to assess the role of non-pharmacological activities in the management of hypertension. Specifically, it aimed at assessing the impact of dance therapy on the management of hypertension, and the prospects of integrating it into the healthcare system. The study adopted the mixed method approach including experimental research design, using the case study of Abokobi Health Centre in the Greater Accra Region. For the quantitative part of this study, a randomized control approach was used, which comprised a test group (that underwent dance therapy sessions) and a control group that was on (alternate vital drugs). Blood pressure levels of respondents ‘before’ and ‘after’ the treatment processes for both control and test groups were tested quantitatively using paired-sample mean t-test. The findings show that the control group experienced an increase in blood pressure while the experimental group (those that participated in the dance therapy) experienced reduced blood pressure levels. The qualitative aspect of this study employed the use of in-depth interviews with the study participants and health officials. The use of dance therapy in hypertension management has prospects because of its additional strengths in terms of cultural friendliness, promotion of social interaction and cost effectiveness. However, the key challenges that may impede its adoption or integration include the availability of trained dance resource persons, resources mobilization [both financial and facilities], difficulty in running dance sessions parallel to pharmacological prescriptions, difficulty in getting patients to participate, and a possibility of stigmatization. However, the study provides key strategies to counter these potential challenges so as to enhance the integration process. From the experimental design and qualitative interviews, the study concludes that dance therapy has an impact on reducing blood pressure at a significant level therefore complementing the orthodox pharmacological treatment processes remains key. This study further argues that dance therapy approach is not only efficacious but also possesses other socio-economic dimensions that could be exploited to enhance its adoption. Key strategies to address integration challenges involves managerial support, and the adoption of an appropriate policy direction, that defines the integration process and other ramifications, a need to train healthcare professionals on the efficacies, origin, and success stories of dance therapy in hypertension management, offering a sensitization process aimed at effectively reorienting the minds of hypertensive patients towards the efficacy of dance therapy. It is also imperative to partner with key stakeholders and opinion leaders.