Therapeutic effects of motivational interviewing on blood pressure control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Hypertension is one of the high prevalence chronic life-related diseases. Recommendations for hypertension management advocate combined use of pharmacotherapy and lifestyle counselling in order to achieve blood pressure control and to lower risk for cardiovascular events. Meanwhile, the American Heart Association recommends clinicians using counselling interventions to promote a healthy diet and physical activity that apply two or more of the following strategies: set specific, proximal goals; provide feedback on progress; provide strategies for self-monitoring; establish a plan for frequency and follow-up; use motivational interviewing; and build self-efficacy. MI is a coherent protocol and developed to be a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person s own motivation and commitment to change. However, little is known about how MI exerts its antihypertensive therapeutic effects. Our study reviews randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of MI on blood pressure control in the population with high cardiac risks.