Using a mobile health app to improve patients’ adherence to hypertension treatment: a non-randomized clinical trial

PeerJ

article

Simiane Salete Volpi¹  Daiana Biduski²  Ericles Andrei Bellei²  Danieli Tefili¹  Lynn McCleary³  Ana Luisa Sant’Anna Alves¹  Ana Carolina Bertoletti De Marchi¹ 

[1] School of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, University of Passo Fundo;Institute of Exact Sciences and Geosciences, University of Passo Fundo;Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University

关键词: Hypertension;    Treatment adherence;    Digital health;    Health apps;    User experience;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.11491

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY