Evaluating a WeChat-Based Health Behavioral Digital Intervention for Patients With Hypertension: Protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Cardiovascular Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular and kidney diseases.
• Health behavioral interventions are crucial for blood pressure (BP) control.
• WeChat is a viable platform for delivering digital health interventions in China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a WeChat-based health behavioral digital intervention program (WHBDIP).
• To assess the efficacy of WHBDIP in controlling BP and improving adherence among hypertensive patients.
• To evaluate the program's impact on cardiovascular function, body composition, and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A 2-arm, parallel-group, randomized trial involving patients over 60 with hypertension.
• A 12-week intervention based on the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) theory, incorporating behavior change techniques (BCTs).
• Weekly monitoring of exercise and BP monitoring adherence (BPMA) via WeChat; data collection at baseline, 3 months, and 1 year.

Main Results:

• The trial will assess the efficacy of WHBDIP in a cohort of 68 hypertensive patients.
• Patient recruitment and 3-month data collection are complete; data analysis and 1-year outcome collection are ongoing.
• The program aims to enhance knowledge and promote positive health behaviors for improved health outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A successful WHBDIP could establish a feasible model for community-based hypertension management.
• This approach may facilitate the development of future mobile health programs.
• The study contributes to understanding digital interventions for chronic disease management.