Impact of E-Coach chronic disease management model combined with the WeChat platform on self-management ability in hypertension patients

Objective Hypertension remains a major global health challenge requiring effective long-term management. This study evaluated the impact of the E-Coach chronic disease management model integrated with WeChat on self-management capabilities in patients with hypertension. Methods This was a single-center randomized controlled trial. A total of 250 middle-aged and elderly hypertension patients were randomly divided into either a control group (conventional hypertension management) or an intervention group (comprehensive management based on the E-Coach chronic disease model delivered via the WeChat platform) ( n = 125). The primary outcomes included Chronic Disease Self-Management Study Measures (CDSMS) scores and patient-perceived chronic illness care assessed using Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) scores. The secondary outcomes included systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), management outcomes (e.g., hospital visits, medication adherence, blood pressure (BP) control rates. Results After six months, CDSMS scores across all dimensions (e.g., stretching and strength exercises [45 (15, 45) vs. 45 (15, 45)], aerobic exercises [120 (120, 180) vs. 120 (120, 180)], cognitive symptoms [10 (9, 11) vs. 7 (5, 8)], and doctor-patient communication [10 (9, 11) vs. 7 (7, 8)] were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group ( P = 0.043, 0.002, <0.001, <0.001). PACIC scores for all dimensions (e.g., patient activation [5 (4, 5) vs. 3 (3, 4)], service system/delivery design [4 (4, 5) vs. 3 (3, 3)], goal setting/tailored care [4 (4, 5) vs. 3 (2, 3)], problem-solving/continuity [4 (4, 5) vs. 3 (2, 3)], and follow-up/collaboration [4 (4, 5) vs. 3 (3, 3)] were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (all P < 0.001). Besides, SBP and DBP levels were lower in the intervention group in comparison to the control group ( P < 0.001, <0.001). The intervention group reported fewer outpatient visits, emergency visits, and hospitalizations, and hospital services, alongside higher medication adherence and BP control rates compared to the control group ( P < 0.001, <0.001, 0.027, 0.001). Conclusions The E-Coach chronic disease management model combined with the WeChat platform improves self-management ability in hypertension patients, and demonstrates good chronic disease management effectiveness.