Feasibility of Using a Mobile Application for the Monitoring and Management of Stroke-Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Background and PurposeRecent advances in information technology have created opportunities for advances in the management of stroke. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of using a smartphone software application (app) for the management of vascular risk factors in patients with stroke.MethodsThis prospective clinical trial developed a smartphone app, the 'Korea University Health Monitoring System for Stroke: KUHMS2,' for use by patients with stroke. During a 6-month follow-up period, its feasibility was assessed by measuring the changes in their vascular risk-factor profiles and the number of days per patient with data registration into the app. The effect of the app on the achievement rate of risk-factor targets was assessed by classifying subjects into compliant and noncompliant groups.ResultsAt the end of the trial, data on 48 patients were analyzed. The number of days on which data were registered into the app was 60.42±50.17 (mean±standard deviation). Among predefined vascular risk factors, the target achievement rate for blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) improved significantly from baseline to the final measurement. The serial changes in achievement rates for risk-factor targets did not differ between the compliant and noncompliant groups.ConclusionsMany challenges must be overcome before mobile apps can be used for patients with stroke. Nevertheless, the app tested in this study induced a shift in the risk profiles in a favorable direction among the included stroke patients.

Mobile Phone Interventions for the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

“…35 The fourth null study involved the use of a mobile app and monitoring device in stroke patients in South Korea. 42 Patients only used the mobile app 60 out of 180 days and secondary outcomes (BP, HbA1c, target waist circumference, smoking rate, drug adherence, exercise) did not differ between those who were and were not compliant with the mobile app. 42 The last study compared HTN self-care behaviors (medication adherence, PA, diet) and BP response between four groups: (a) self-care education over eight 1-hour sessions, (b) self-care education through four pamphlets, (c) self-care education through eight SMS, and (d) usual care.…”

“…Overall, 22 of the 28 studies (79%) demonstrated that using mobile phone features (text messaging, mobile apps, telemonitoring via mobile phones) was effective in improving behavioral and clinical outcomes. This review includes studies targeting a variety of CV conditions: CHD (12), 18–29 chronic HF (6), 30–35 HTN (5), 36–40 stroke (2), 41–42 acute coronary syndrome (1), 43 CVD (1), 44 and metabolic syndrome (1). 45 A dominant number of studies examined medication adherence as the clinical outcome (10 studies) while other studies examined outcomes such as PA, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) adherence, or a combination of CVD risk factors (blood pressure/BP, cholesterol, body mass index, weight).…”

“…In particular, seven studies used smartphones for data acquisition / transmission in telemonitoring programs 30,32–35,38,45 Five studies tested a smartphone app as the primary intervention. 23,27–29,42 In addition, there were seven studies that used multiple modalities to deliver the interventions including text messaging, mobile apps, Internet, and email. 18–19,21–23,25,27 Eighteen studies assessed patients’ experiences with using mobile phones for health-related outcomes, and all studies reported high satisfaction, feasibility, and acceptability.…”

Novel mHealth App to Deliver Geriatric Assessment-Driven Interventions for Older Adults With Cancer: Pilot Feasibility and Usability Study (Preprint)

“…Recent advances in information technologies have allowed healthcare professionals to utilize mobile apps in clinical practice [7,8]. For example, in the non-cancer setting, mobile health apps can help with symptom detection and monitoring in patients with stroke and myocardial infarction [9,10]. Studies have also shown that mobile health apps can assist with medication management and provide reminders for doctor appointments with resulting improvement in self-care behavior, quality of life, and healthcare utilization [11].…”

Mandatory Neuroendovascular Evolution: Meeting the New Demands

“…For instance, the Korea University Health Monitoring System for Stroke provides patients that experienced a past stroke with information regarding ongoing preventive vascular risk management [34]. Another example is mHealth, an application designed to aid stroke patients in long-term care such as providing instructions of care and medication management [35].…”