Effect of Mobile Educational Application on Adherence to Treatment in Elderly with Hypertension

Adherence to treatment has a key role in management of hypertension and mobile phones can be used to educate patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a mobile educational application on adherence to treatment in elderly with hypertension.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted in Neishabour, Iran 2020. A total of 54 retired elderly patients who were members of the Retirement Association were selected by consecutive sampling and were randomly divided into an intervention group (n= 27) and a control group (n= 27). Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and Adherence to Treatment Scale by Modanloo et al. (2013). The intervention was performed using an educational application in the intervention group, six sessions/three weeks and the control group was provided with routine care. Adherence to Treatment Scale was completed by both groups before and six weeks after the intervention.

The findings showed significant differences between the intervention group and the control group in mean score for commitment to treatment (P= 0.023) and hesitation in implementation of treatment (P= 0.026). Before the intervention, the mean values for systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different between the two groups, but after the intervention, the mean diastolic blood pressure was found to be significantly lower in the intervention group (P= 0.017).

The rate of adherence to treatment is increased through mobile educational applications, and this can be used to manage chronic diseases and promote adherence to medication and treatment.