Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension with Sodium Reduction for Chinese Canadians (DASHNa-CC): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of culturally sensitive dietary interventions targeting Chinese Canadians despite unhealthy dietary behaviours being identified as the most important modifiable risk factor for hypertension in the Chinese population.

Aims: To determine the feasibility of a culturally sensitive dietary intervention for hypertension control; to examine the potential effects of the intervention on blood pressure and health-related quality of life among Chinese Canadians in community.

Methods: This study was a two-group pilot randomized controlled trial with 8 weeks follow up. Sixty self-identified Chinese Canadians, older than 45 years old and with grade one hypertension but not on antihypertensive medications were recruited in community. The control group received usual care and the intervention group received usual care plus newly developed DASHNa-CC intervention. The DASHNa-CC intervention consisted of a written manual, two classroom sessions, and one telephone booster call to provide healthy dietary and sodium reduction advice, integrated with Traditional Chinese Medicine food therapy recommendations for hypertension control.

Results: 618 Chinese Canadians participated in blood pressure screening, and 60 eligible participants recruited. Participants were highly satisfied with the intervention and adhered to the trial protocol. The lost to follow-up rate was 5%. At 8 weeks post-randomization, those in the intervention group had greater reductions in systolic blood pressure [3.8mmHg, t (55) = -1.58, p = 0.12] and higher physical health scores [t (55) = 2.13, p = 0.04] compared to those of the control group. There were no group differences in health care utilization.

Conclusions: It is feasible to deliver the DASHNa-CC intervention in a Chinese Canadian community. The DASHNa-CC intervention may decrease blood pressure and improve health-related quality of life for Chinese Canadians.

Keywords: Chinese Canadian; Diet; hypertension; immigrant; nutrition.