Researcher(s)
- Farrah Charles, Epidemiology, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Yendelela Cuffee, Epidemiology, University of Delaware
Abstract
Hypertension control rates are lowest among Black communities, largely due to medication nonadherence and complexity in treatment management. Storytelling interventions can be used to encourage and inspire behavioral change and self-efficacy in managing chronic conditions. This study aimed to compare two approaches for delivering a storytelling intervention: web-based and facilitated group-based, to see the effects on health outcomes such as blood pressure (BP) and medication adherence. In this study, 60 Black adults with hypertension and prescribed antihypertensive medication were recruited and split into three groups: the usual care, storytelling, and storytelling-plus groups. Each group had their blood pressure and medication adherence measured to determine the effects of the storytelling intervention. Survey information was collected through REDCap. Mean BP for the usual care group was 132.39/81.08 mm Hg, with mean BP for the storytelling and storytelling-plus groups being 131.88/80.40 mm Hg and 133/81.18 mm Hg, respectively. In this sample of individuals, storytelling intervention was not significantly associated with lower blood pressure. Nonetheless, these findings support the need for more research in larger populations to explore the potential of storytelling interventions in managing chronic conditions.