Effects of an Education Program for Home Blood Pressure Measurements in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND : Stroke patients must review their previous lifestyle and take daily actions to control risk factors for recurrence. METHODS : A nonblind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in stroke patients to determine whether an education program intervention would alter behavior concerning home blood pressure measurements. This prospective, randomized controlled trial recruited 48 inpatients with stroke randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 24) or a usual care group (n = 24). The intervention involved 5 face-to-face support or telephone support sessions over 6 months to provide information regarding home blood pressure measurements and to confirm patient behavior using a textbook, a blood pressure recording form, and a blood pressure measurement device. RESULTS : There were no significant differences at baseline between the intervention and usual care groups. The median rate of performing home blood pressure measurements at 12 months was significantly higher in the intervention group (100.0% [99.1%-100.0%], n = 24) than the control group (62.5% [27.7%-87.5%], n = 24) ( P < .001). The rates of home blood pressure measurements (at 1, 3, and 7 months after registration) were also significantly higher in the intervention group. Seven months after registration, home blood pressure values (systolic blood pressure) were significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group ( P = .025). In contrast, there was no significant difference at 1, 3, or 12 months after registration. CONCLUSION : Our results suggest that although the rate of home blood pressure measurements in both groups decreased, the rate was higher in the intervention group compared with the usual care group, indicating that the intervention was effective.