The Effectiveness of a Mobile Phone Education Method Based on Self-efficacy and DASH Diet Among Patients with High Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a global public health problem with an increasing incidence worldwide. The imperative role of self-efficacy and dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) in controlling chronic disease has been reported. Objectives: We aim to investigate the efficiency of a mobile app for improving self-efficacy in adherence to the DASH diet in HTN patients. Methods: The present randomized controlled trial was conducted on 88 patients with hypertension who were referred to public health care centers between November 2019 and March 2020. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a video-based mobile app for DASH-related recommendations and usual care. The control group followed their habitual diets, and usual health care was given in a public health care center for twelve weeks. Self-efficacy, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and dietary intake were assessed at the trial's baseline and end. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to show the differences between groups and adjust for baseline and covariates. Results: At the baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding DBP, SBP, and most of the self-efficacy components. However, we observed significant statistical differences between the groups in the DBP SBP, and all five components of self-efficacy improved significantly at the end of the study. We did not reach a significant statistical difference between study groups in adherence to the DASH diet. Conclusions: The present study showed that using a mobile app for educating DASH diet and improving self-efficacy leads to better control of HTN and improvement of self-efficacy.