An Effect of Walking Exercise Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior in People at Risk of Hypertension
Udomlak Duangpunmat MS* , Surintorn Kalampakorn PhD**, Panan Pichayapinyo PhD**
Affiliation : * Faculty of Nursing, College of Asian Scholar, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To investigate an effectiveness of walking exercise program applying the Theory of Planned Behavior in people at
risk of hypertension in Samut Sakorn province.
Material and Method: The present study is a quasi-experimental research. The inclusion criteria were people aged 35-59
years old, systolic blood pressure 120-139 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure 80-89 mmHg. Participants were randomly
selected into the experimental group (n = 34) and the comparison group (n = 34). The experimental group received activities
including health information, benefits of walking exercise, group discussion in exercise barriers, modeling and experience
exchange, walking exercise practice, and practice on using walking monitoring booklet at the baseline and the 2nd week,
whereas the comparison group received only health information and the booklet practice at the beginning of the intervention.
Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires at the baseline, 2nd week, and 6th week. Statistical analysis was
performed using Chi-square, Independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA.
Results : The experimental group made significant improvements in attitude towards walking exercise, perceived behavior
control, subjective norm, walking exercise intention, and walking exercise over time (p<0.05). However, no statistically
significant differences between the experimental and the comparison groups were found in subjective norm, systolic and
diastolic blood pressure from baseline to the 6th week. The experimental group had a significant higher mean difference score
of attitude towards walking exercise, perceived behavior control, walking exercise intention, walking exercise, weight, and
BMI compared to those in the comparison group (p<0.05). Subjective norm scores in the experimental group were more
likely to increase from baseline to the 6th week, but not a significant difference.
Conclusion : Walking exercise programs applying the Theory of Planned Behavior should be recommended in people at risk
of hypertension. Health professionals should also be motivated to practice with this program.
Keywords : Walking exercise, Hypertension, Theory of planned behavior, Risk population
