Effect of Cupping Therapy on Changes in Blood Pressure in Older Adults with Hypertension in Jenangger Village, Batang-Batang District, Sumenep Regency

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in older adults is a condition that can potentially reduce quality of life and increase the burden of healthcare costs due to high annual treatment costs. Efforts to reduce blood pressure in the community still focus on pharmacological therapy, while non-pharmacological approaches such as wet cupping therapy have not been routinely implemented, even though this therapy can be part of a healthy lifestyle in hypertension management. Wet cupping therapy is considered safe, comfortable, and suitable for use as a complementary treatment in the community. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of cupping therapy on changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older adults with hypertension in Jenangger Village, Batang-Batang District, Sumenep Regency. METHODS: This study used a pre-experimental one-group pre-posttest design. The study population comprised all older adults with hypertension, totaling 30 people. The sample obtained through non-probability purposive sampling comprised 18 people. Data were collected using observation sheets and a sphygmomanometer to measure blood pressure. The data obtained were processed, analyzed, and presented as mean blood pressure values. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. RESULTS: The study showed a value of α <0.001 (<0.05) for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, indicating that cupping therapy had an effect on reducing systolic blood pressure in older adults with hypertension. The systolic Z-score of -5.252 and diastolic Z-score of -5.258 indicate that the more frequently and the longer cupping therapy is performed, the lower the resulting blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Given this effect, cupping therapy should be performed on an ongoing basis as needed to help lower blood pressure. Nurses need to continue providing education and motivation regarding the implementation of cupping therapy at the nearest healthcare facilities.