Effect of holographic Guasha on sleep quality of older adults with hypertension in the community: A prospective study

To explore the effect of holographic Guasha therapy on the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) in older adults with hypertension living in the community. This prospective study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2020. Older adults with hypertension (systolic pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg, diastolic pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg) were divided into the control and Guasha groups. The PSQI and HAMA were assessed before and after 4 weeks of intervention. 62 patients were enrolled, with 31/group (Guasha: 72.4 ± 6.9 years, 23.0 ± 3.1 kg/m2; control: 71.4 ± 6.3 years; 22.9 ± 2.9 kg/m2). The total PSQI score did not decrease in the control group after 4 weeks (from 14.8 ± 1.2 to 14.8 ± 1.8, P = .498) but decreased in the Guasha group (from 14.9 ± 1.1 to 6.8 ± 3.5, P < .001). All PSQI subscores decreased in the Guasha group after 4 weeks of Guasha intervention (all P < .05), except for the use of sleep medication, since the use of such drugs was an exclusion criterion. The HAMA index scores did not change in the control or Guasha group (both P > .05). Holographic Guasha appears to achieve better sleep outcomes than conventional treatment in improving the sleep quality of older adults with hypertension living in the community. The participants were not randomly assigned to the treatments, and the results should be confirmed in a formal trial.