Title : Reducing systolic blood pressure among hypertensive adults using mobile health application-based self-management support program
Abstract:
Hypertension (HTN) is a major, but treatable public health problem, afflicting nearly one in two adults in United States (U.S). Untreated HTN is associated with risks of other health sequela, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases. Treatment success of HTN usually requires the patient to adhere to nonpharmacologic and/or pharmacologic regimen. Nowadays, mobile health (m-health) app-based interventions are often employed to manage HTN, and evidences corresponding to their effectiveness abound.
objective: The purpose of this project is to assess the impact of “Omron Connect” – an m-health application-based self- management support program on systolic blood pressure (SBP) control.
Method: A convenient sample of 30 adults were enrolled but three dropped out prior to the project. The participants downloaded the applications (apps) on their mobile phones. The apps enabled the participants to transmit their daily self-management activities (SMAs), including daily blood pressure monitoring, adherence to medication, and engagement in physical exercise to a designated email for review by the project team leader (PTL). On any occasion a participant enters abnormal blood pressure value, the app directed the participant to remeasure their blood pressure. In furtherance, whenever the blood pressure remains abnormal, the app alerted the patient to talk to the PTL. Consequently, the project team members (PTM) monitored for compliance, and intervened when any participant failed to comply. The PTM offered daily encouragement and support, thereby eliminating the chances of non-compliance with the expected SMAs. The outcomes were differences in SBP, and level of engagement on the SMAs.
Results: At the end of the project, result revealed statistically significant difference between the average participants’ SBP
preintervention (M = 144.78, SD = 3.04) and SBP (M = 139.44, SD = 2.22) postintervention. Also, the baseline
characteristics of the participants’ engagement in SMAs showed statistically significant difference (p < .001) before and after the project.
Conclusion: Omron Connect app-based self-management support program for HTN is associated with reduction in SBP among hypertensive adults ages 20 to 60 by 5.34mm/Hg in eight weeks.
