Mobile Health App for High Blood Pressure

Overseen By Sara Roy

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Chicago

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Opioid dependency, Homelessness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a new mobile health app, USeeBP, can help manage high blood pressure in African American adults. It aims to enhance an existing remote monitoring program to determine if the app simplifies blood pressure control. The trial seeks African American adults aged 18–65 with a history of poorly controlled high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure of 160 or more in recent check-ups). Participants should be willing to use a smartphone and associated health apps. The goal is to assess if this app can facilitate day-to-day blood pressure management. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative health solutions and improve personal health management.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your current treatment, but it's best to confirm with the study team.

What prior data suggests that this mobile health app is safe for managing high blood pressure?

Research shows that using mobile health apps like USeeBP is generally safe. However, these apps are intended for monitoring, not diagnosing health conditions. USeeBP connects to a blood pressure cuff to simplify tracking blood pressure.

The app itself does not cause physical harm; it merely collects and shares blood pressure data. While the app securely connects to medical devices, some health apps might share data with other companies, raising privacy concerns.

Concerns exist about the accuracy of some blood pressure apps, but USeeBP is designed to work with a proper blood pressure cuff, which should ensure more reliable readings. Always use the app as part of a broader health plan and consult healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the USeeBP app because it offers a new way to manage high blood pressure using mobile health technology. Unlike traditional treatments like medication and lifestyle changes, USeeBP integrates with a remote patient monitoring program to provide real-time feedback and personalized care. This approach not only makes it easier for patients to track their blood pressure, but it also allows healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans promptly, potentially improving outcomes and enhancing patient engagement.

What evidence suggests that the USeeBP app is effective for managing high blood pressure?

Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) apps like USeeBP, which participants in this trial will use, can help people manage high blood pressure. One study found that these apps enable users to better track their blood pressure, leading to improved self-care. Another study focused on USeeBP and found that using the app could help lower blood pressure in African American adults. However, not all studies agree; some found no additional benefit in lowering blood pressure with similar apps. Overall, USeeBP might be a helpful tool for managing high blood pressure. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David G. Beiser, MD

Principal Investigator

University of Chicago

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for African American adults aged 18-65 with high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 160 mmHg). Participants must have access to an iPhone, Wi-Fi or data plan, and be able to use the USeeBP app and a wireless blood pressure cuff. They should not be homeless, recently hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, pregnant, prisoners, opioid-dependent or have certain severe medical conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Person of African descent

You are currently enrolled or eligible to participate in the UCM-RPM Hypertension Management Program.

You have an Apple iPhone that can work with the Apple Health app.

Exclusion Criteria

Prior enrollment in the study

Your blood pressure is higher than 180/110 before starting the study.

You are currently dependent on opioids.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants use the USeeBP mHealth app alongside the UCM-RPM program to monitor and manage blood pressure

12 weeks

Regular virtual check-ins via app and EPIC MyChart

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in blood pressure control and medication adherence

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• USeeBP

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile health application called USeeBP as part of the UChicago Medicine Remote-Patient Monitoring Hypertension Management Program. It aims to see if this app can help improve blood pressure control in African Americans with unmanaged hypertension.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: USeeBP Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be asked to use the USeeBP mHealth app alongside participating in UCM-RPM program as part of their routine care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Chicago

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,086

Recruited

844,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The SMART-BP trial is evaluating the effectiveness of a mobile app (SMBP-App) that provides tailored recommendations for blood pressure management compared to standard self-monitoring of blood pressure (SMBP) in 180 patients with hypertension over a 24-week period.

The primary goal is to determine if the SMBP-App can lead to greater reductions in mean home systolic blood pressure and improve medication adherence compared to SMBP alone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-Monitoring of Blood Pressure and Feed-back Using APP in TReatment of UnconTrolled Hypertension (SMART-BP): A Randomized Clinical Trial. Choi, DJ., Park, JJ., Yoon, M., et al.[2023]

The MyBP program, which uses automated SMS for home blood pressure monitoring, significantly enhances patients' understanding of hypertension and encourages behavior changes through educational videos and consistent monitoring.

Patients reported that receiving regular blood pressure readings motivated them to take action, demonstrating that this program effectively supports self-management of hypertension by leveraging feedback and increasing awareness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SMS-facilitated home blood pressure monitoring: A qualitative analysis of resultant health behavior change. Allen, ME., Irizarry, T., Einhorn, J., et al.[2020]

Out of 948 blood pressure tracking apps screened, only 62 met the inclusion criteria, with an average quality score of 12.2 out of 28, indicating that most apps had variable quality and few adhered to best practices for home blood pressure monitoring.

Apps that included educational content or had a rating of 4 stars or higher demonstrated significantly better overall quality, suggesting that these features may enhance the effectiveness of BP tracking apps for self-management of hypertension.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality of Blood Pressure Tracking Apps for the iPhone: Content Analysis and Evaluation of Adherence With Home Blood Pressure Measurement Best Practices. Leong, AY., Makowsky, MJ.[2020]

The Reach Out mHealth intervention, which uses SMS text messaging for self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring, was well-received by participants, indicating its potential effectiveness in engaging hypertensive patients in managing their blood pressure.

Participants with higher engagement levels had better understanding and social support, while those with lower engagement or who withdrew from the trial faced more health-related social needs, suggesting that addressing these needs could improve participation and outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement in Self-measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Among Medically Underresourced Participants (the Reach Out Trial): Digital Framework Qualitative Study. Hellem, AK., Whitfield, C., Casetti, A., et al.[2023]

A review of 151 high blood pressure apps revealed that most only offer basic features like blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle advice, and information about hypertension, indicating a lack of comprehensive self-management support.

The presence of social support features was weakly correlated with download frequency, suggesting that users may value community engagement, while apps tailored for specific BP monitors received higher ratings, highlighting the importance of compatibility in user satisfaction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Apps to Support Self-Management for People With Hypertension: Content Analysis. Hui, CY., Creamer, E., Pinnock, H., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 333 participants with uncontrolled hypertension, a smartphone coaching app aimed at promoting self-management did not significantly lower systolic blood pressure compared to a standard blood pressure tracking app after 6 months, with both groups showing similar blood pressure levels.

However, participants using the coaching app reported greater self-confidence in managing their blood pressure, suggesting potential psychological benefits that could support long-term hypertension management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring via a Smartphone Hypertension Coaching Application or Tracking Application on Adults With Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Persell, SD., Peprah, YA., Lipiszko, D., et al.[2020]

In a trial involving 62 older adults with hypertension, the MyBP digital tool showed high engagement rates (82.7%) for home blood pressure monitoring, indicating its feasibility for routine use.

While overall blood pressure reductions were similar between MyBP and control groups, those with higher initial systolic blood pressure in the MyBP group experienced greater declines, suggesting potential clinical benefits for specific patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized feasibility trial of a digital intervention for hypertension self-management. Muldoon, MF., Einhorn, J., Yabes, JG., et al.[2023]

Smartphone applications can significantly enhance the management of hypertension by improving medication adherence, blood pressure control, and promoting lifestyle changes, especially among younger users.

While technology interventions show promise in reducing physical inactivity and obesity, further research is needed to identify the most effective components of these interventions and to make them more accessible for older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Mobile applications and management of hypertension: possibilities, problems and perspectives]. Becker, S., Mitchell, A., Königsmann, T., et al.[2021]

A randomized clinical trial involving 2101 participants found that enhanced self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) using a smartphone application did not significantly reduce blood pressure more than standard SMBP methods over 6 months.

Both enhanced and standard SMBP methods showed similar levels of patient satisfaction, with around 70% of participants likely to recommend their devices, indicating that the added technology did not improve outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of Standard vs Enhanced Self-measurement of Blood Pressure Paired With a Connected Smartphone Application: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Pletcher, MJ., Fontil, V., Modrow, MF., et al.[2023]

Mobile health (mHealth) apps can effectively assist in the self-assessment and management of resistant hypertension, providing tools for regular blood pressure monitoring and communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

While mHealth apps show promise in improving hypertension control, their accuracy in measuring blood pressure can vary, and more extensive research is needed to confirm their long-term effectiveness and scalability in clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Potential of mHealth Applications in Improving Resistant Hypertension Self-Assessment, Treatment and Control. Santo, K., Redfern, J.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10762623/

Efficacy of an mHealth App to Support Patients' Self- ... This study aims to assess the efficacy of an mHealth app–based intervention in supporting patients' self-management of hypertension.

2. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/226671/a-mobile-health-mhealth-strategy-for-improving-blood-pressure-control-among-adult-hypertensive-african-americans/

A Mobile Health (mHealth) Strategy for Improving Blood ... The primary study goal is to measure the effect of the USeeBP mobile app on home BP. Serial home blood pressure measurements will be collected ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8223338/

The effect of the mobile “blood pressure management ... Our results showed that this application can be used as a successful tool for hypertension self-management in patients attending public hospitals in developing ...

4. cardio.jmir.org cardio.jmir.org/2023/1/e48454

Pilot Investigation of Blood Pressure Control Using a Mobile ... This study shows a possible relationship between Cardi.Health mobile app use and decreased BP. Additionally, engagement with the app may be related to better ...

5. pcornet.org pcornet.org/news/blog-use-of-smartphone-technology-wont-yield-lower-blood-pressure-readings-says-new-pcornet-research/

Use of Smartphone Technology Won't Yield Lower Blood ... The group using the connected app did not experience any additional reduction in blood pressure, and no more of the patients who used the ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4922794/

Validation of the Instant Blood Pressure Smartphone App The BP measurements from an mHealth app with more than 148 000 units sold were highly inaccurate. The low sensitivity for hypertensive measurements means that ...

7. heart.org heart.org/en/news/2020/09/10/health-apps-pose-privacy-risks-but-experts-offer-this-advice

Health apps pose privacy risks, but experts offer this advice People who use health apps are largely unprotected from having their data passed along to third parties, according to experts.

8. scientificamerican.com scientificamerican.com/article/blood-pressure-apps-may-be-dangerously-wrong/

Blood Pressure Apps May Be Dangerously Wrong Apps that inaccurately measure blood pressure could lead to false alarms and possibly fatal false assurances, Kumar said. About one in three ...

9. gkc.himss.org gkc.himss.org/resources/comparing-traditional-blood-pressure-mobile-health-application

Comparing Traditional Blood Pressure with a Mobile ... Collecting personal health data through self-trackers, smartphones and other wearable technology can potentially impact a person's health.