INFLUENCE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY ON BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATION BY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN AHMADU BELLOTEACHING HOSPITAL, ZARIA

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of physiotherapy on blood pressure regulation among

hypertensive patients at Ahmadu BelloTeaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. The research aimed

to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for

managing hypertension, contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting integrative

healthcare approaches in Nigeria. Adopting a survey research design, the study involved a total

enumeration of 48 hypertensive patients undergoing physiotherapy at ABUTH. Data were

collected using a validated, self-structured questionnaire that explored demographic details,

physiotherapy attendance, perceived effectiveness, and barriers to utilization. Analysis was

conducted using descriptive statistics via SPSS version 26.0. Findings revealed that 62.5% of

respondents regularly engaged in physiotherapy, with 68.8% reporting significant reductions

in blood pressure. However, lack of awareness (50%) and high cost (43.8%) were identified as

major barriers to consistent physiotherapy use. The study concludes that physiotherapy plays a

beneficial role in managing hypertension but remains underutilized due to several challenges.

It recommends increasing awareness, subsidizing costs, expanding service availability, and

encouraging referrals by healthcare professionals to enhance physiotherapy uptake for

improved patient outcomes.