Phone-based intervention for blood pressure control among Ghanaian stroke survivors: A pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe potential of mobile-health (mHealth) technology for the management of hypertension among stroke survivors in Africa remains unexplored. We assessed whether an mHealth technology-enabled, nurse-guided intervention initiated among stroke patients within one month of symptom onset is effective in improving their blood pressure (BP) control.MethodsA two-arm pilot cluster randomized controlled trial involving 60 stroke survivors, ≥18 years, with BP ≥140/90 mmHg at screening/enrollment visit at a medical center in Ghana. Participants in the intervention arm (n = 30) received a Blue-toothed BP device and smartphone with an App for monitoring BP measurements and medication intake under nurse guidance for three months after which intervention was withdrawn. Control arm (n = 30) received usual care. Primary outcome measure was proportion with clinic BP FindingsMean ± SD age was 55 ± 13 years, 65% males. Two participants on intervention and three in control group were lost to follow-up. At month 9, proportion on the intervention versus controls with BP InterpretationWe demonstrate feasibility and signal of improvement in BP control among stroke survivors in a resource-limited setting via an mHealth intervention. Larger scale studies are warranted.Trial registrationNCT02568137. Registered on 13 July 2015 at ClinicalTrials.gov.