mHealth Intervention to Improve Hypertension Care in High-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND

The mGlide RCT (randomized controlled trial) evaluated whether a pharmacist-led, mobile health technology facilitated care model improves hypertension control in diverse populations.

METHODS

We recruited adult English, Spanish, or Hmong-speaking patients with uncontrolled hypertension from a large health care system and smaller community clinics serving low-income patients. Participants were randomized 1:1 to mGlide or usual care. The 6-month intervention included daily blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring using a smartphone and wireless monitor, automated app-based data sharing, and responsive medication adjustment by a pharmacist-led provider-team. Comparison participants received a digital monitor. Outcomes included mean 6-month systolic BP (SBP), 12-month sustained BP control, 24-hour ambulatory BP and patient activation.

RESULTS

A total of 395 participants (mean age, 66.9 years; 46.6% women; mean [SD] SBP, 143.4 [16.5] mm Hg) were randomized to mGlide (n=198) or usual care (n=197). Mean (SD) 6-month SBP (mm Hg) was lower in the mGlide arm (128.1 [13.9] versus 134.0 [16.0]). The adjusted mean difference between groups for the primary outcome of 6-month SBP favored mGlide: -5.8 mm Hg (95% CI, -8.6 to -3.0), sustained at 12 months (-5.7 mm Hg [-8.7 to -2.6]). The mGlide arm also had a 4.8 mm Hg (P=0.014) lower 24-hour average ambulatory SBP. The 6-month intervention effect varied significantly by activation level, with a difference of -12.6 mm Hg (-20.5 to -4.8) SBP among the lowest versus -2.5 mm Hg (-6.5 to 1.6) among the highest activation level participants.

CONCLUSIONS

A mobile health-facilitated care model with pharmacist-led medication adjustment was effective in lowering BP in diverse populations. Patients with low activation benefited more from the intervention; activation levels may inform efficient intervention selection.

REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03612271.