Poor adherence to hypertension treatment increases complications of the disease and is characterized by a lack of awareness and acceptance of ongoing treatment. Mobile health (mHealth) apps can optimize processes and facilitate access to health information by combining treatment methods with attractive solutions. In this study, we aimed at verifying the influence of using an mHealth app on patients’ adherence to hypertension treatment, also examining how user experience toward the app influenced the outcomes. A total of 49 participants completed the study, men and women, diagnosed with hypertension and ongoing medical treatment. For 12 weeks, the control group continued with conventional monitoring, while the experimental group used an mHealth app. From the experimental group, at baseline, 8% were non-adherent, 64% were partial adherents and 28% were adherent to the treatment. Baseline in the control group indicated 4.2% non-adherents, 58.3% partial adherents, and 37.5% adherents. After follow-up, the experimental group had an increase to 92% adherent, 8% partially adherent, and 0% non-adherent (P < 0.001). In the control group, adherence after follow-up remained virtually the same (P ≥ 0.999). Results of user experience were substantially positive and indicate that the participants in the experimental group had a satisfactory perception of the app. In conclusion, this study suggests that using an mHealth app can empower patients to manage their own health and increase adherence to hypertension treatment, especially when the app provides a positive user experience.
Brazil's Family Health Strategy (FHS) leads public health policies and actions regarding community health, addressing arterial hypertension (AH) in primary care settings. In this scenario, the use of communication technologies becomes appropriate for the monitoring of patients with AH. To preliminary verify the intervention approach and the effects of using an m-Health application on the health conditions of patients with AH for a future study, we conducted a non-randomized, controlled, non-blind trial (N = 39), comparing the use of a mobile health app (m-Health) with conventional AH monitoring over 3 months. During the study, we promoted health information workshops to engage patients from both intervention and control groups. Pre and post-intervention, we compared measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure; food frequency questionnaire; Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale; blood tests of hemogram, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium, lipid profile, and glycemia. Improvements were identified in both groups due to the workshops, including the reduction in total and non-HDL cholesterol, healthier consumption of salads and sugary drinks, and increased selfcare scores. Exclusively in the intervention group, which used the m-Health app, there was a change in systolic and diastolic pressure towards more adequate levels. In addition, the intervention group had improved levels of glucose and HDL cholesterol and reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods. In conclusion, the use of an m-Health app had positive effects on the health conditions of patients with AH under treatment within FHS, especially when combined with health information. On the context of FHS, the use of technology is encouraging supporting better health conditions. Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the main modifiable risk factors for diseases of the circulatory system. With a high prevalence, AH is considered one of the most important public health problems. The World Health Organization estimates that about 600 million people have AH and, annually, 7.1 million individuals die from this disease, substantially burdening health systems 1. Among the AH modifiable factors, either by medication or by altering habits and behavior, there is obesity, sedentary lifestyle, eating habits, and stress. Controlling blood pressure can still be a challenge since, with everyday activities and lack of time, many people do not bother to maintain their normal blood pressure levels 2. Among the main non-medicinal recommendations that should be followed, there are healthy eating, physical activity, reduction of sodium and alcohol consumption, and non-consumption of tobacco 3 .
Background Chronic noncommunicable diseases such as arterial hypertension have a high impact in the context of public health. Previous studies have shown improvements in blood pressure due to simple lifestyle changes, which were supported by electronic health (eHealth) solutions. Objective The aim of this study is to develop an eHealth platform and assess the effects of its use on the health conditions of patients with hypertension, with assistance from health professionals in the public health system of a Brazilian city. Methods The platform will include a server that centralizes all the data and business rules, a website dashboard for health professionals, and a mobile app for patients. We will analyze the effects of its use through a controlled, nonrandomized, nonblind, prospective, monocentric clinical trial. We will enroll 68 participants diagnosed with arterial hypertension and under medical follow-up and categorize them into two groups. The participants of the intervention group will use the platform as a monitoring method, whereas the participants of the control group will use conventional methods. In both groups, we will assess and compare the evolution of blood pressure and treatment adherence before, during, and after the intervention. Results The project was funded at the end of 2018. We have been developing the software since 2019 with plans to complete it in 2020, and we will enroll patients between 2020 and 2021. We expect to submit the first results for publication in 2020. Conclusions For the primary outcome, we expect a reduction and stabilization of blood pressure. For the secondary outcomes, we hope to see improvements in treatment adherence, physical activities and dietary practices, and acceptance of the eHealth platform. In public health, the technology that favors disease control also helps reduce complications and, consequently, treatment costs. The platform might encourage the adaptation of medical assistance to incorporate this technology into patient monitoring. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/15299
A hipertensão está cada vez mais presente na população mundial, principalmente em idosos, gerando onerosos custos a saúde pública. Nesse cenário as aplicações e-Health através de tecnologias computacionais, buscam melhorar as condições de saúde de pacientes por meio do monitoramento dos níveis pressóricos. Diferentes estudos vem sendo realizados com essas aplicações, trazendo resultados positivos e melhoras significativas nos níveis de pressão arterial. As soluções e-Health trazem melhoras nas qualidade de saúde de pacientes hipertensos mas são necessários maiores estudos para validar sua eficácia.
Os aplicativos de saúde envolvem um número crescente da população, motivados pelo interesse nos avanços tecnológicos. Dessa forma, este estudo analisou a experiência e a aceitação do usuário na utilização de um aplicativo para o monitoramento da hipertensão. Participaram do estudo 11 usuários portadores de hipertensão, que utilizaram o aplicativo por três meses. Após o uso, os participantes responderam questionários de avaliação da experiência (SUPR-Qm), de avaliação da tecnologia (TAM) e o sociodemográfico. Para a abordagem qualitativa, investigou-se aspectos do aplicativo considerados importantes para os usuários. O estudo possibilitou identificar as experiências, percepções e necessidades dos usuários ao utilizar um aplicativo para o acompanhamento da hipertensão. Entretanto, sugere-se a realização de estudos futuros para analisar a experiência e a aceitação cumulativa ao longo do tempo, buscando-se comparar os resultados antes e depois da interação com o aplicativo.Palavras-chave: Serviço de saúde comunitária; hipertensão; tecnologia; informática em saúde pública; aplicações da informática médica.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.