Talking it out: could motivational interviewing lower blood pressure?

This trial tests whether nurse-led motivational interviewing—a counseling style that helps people find their own motivation to change—can improve blood pressure control in adults with hypertension. Participants are randomly assigned to usual care, individual counseling, or counseling that also includes a supportive family member. Over six weeks, the counseling sessions focus on medication adherence, healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, and self-monitoring. The study tracks blood pressure and related behaviors over 18 weeks to see if this approach makes a lasting difference.