Culturally appropriate storytelling to improve blood pressure: a randomized trial.

Background: Storytelling is emerging as a powerful tool for health promotion in vulnerable populations. However, these interventions remain largely untested in rigorous studies.

Objective: To test an interactive storytelling intervention involving DVDs.

A stories-based interactive DVD intended to help people with hypertension achieve blood pressure control through improved communication with their doctors.

Objective: Our goal was to develop an interactive DVD to help African American and Caucasian American adults with hypertension learn how to become better communicators during medical interactions. Material was to be presented in several formats, including patients' narratives (stories).

Methods: To develop the narratives we recruited members of the target audience and elicited stories and story units in focus groups, interviews, and seminars.