Using mHealth to support health coaching for patients with hypertension: A case-control study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with hypertension could better self-manage their disease by using automated mHealth including health coaching. Background: A mobile health (mHealth) coaching app called HyperCoach was developed to help patients self-manage their hypertension. Method: Participants with hypertension were provided a blood pressure monitor and weight scale that communicated with an mHealth app via Bluetooth to deliver health coaching for hypertension. The first 30 days of the study involved a health awareness phase that informed the participants of the daily status of their hypertension. The second 30-day phase initiated an automated health coaching plan developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association. Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, health-related quality of life and health literacy were measured. Results: Thirty-four participants completed the study. Results showed no significant improvements in outcomes during the health awareness phase; however, during the health coaching phase there was a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure from 85.1 to 81.2 mmHg as well as diastolic blood pressure from 85.1 to 81.2 mmHg. Participants' quality of life score significantly increased from 68.4 to 74.6, and hypertension health literacy score increased from 74.7% to 85.2%. Conclusion: Our study found that providing health coaching information in conjunction with daily blood pressure values may encourage individuals with hypertension to change their health-related behaviors. Despite the potential positive impact of digital coaching on global hypertension management, more work is warranted to account for varied cultural and demographic variables. Application: mHealth apps may assist patients with hypertension in self-managing their disease.