The Design and Rationale of a Pilot Study: A COmmunity and Tech-Based ApproaCh for Hypertension Self-MANagement (COACHMAN)

African-Americans with hypertension continue to demonstrate poor blood pressure (BP) control and have markedly lower rates of hypertension self-management compared to non-African-Americans. Innovative and practical solutions such as mHealth technology are promising and can be leveraged to promote self-management of hypertension. Substantial evidence has demonstrated the importance of community support in improving patients' management of chronic illnesses. Unfortunately, such programs do not offer technology-based interventions (TBI) as a delivery method. Thus, this paper describes the design and rationale of an ongoing pilot study that incorporates TBI using a community-based participatory approach.

A Community and Technology-Based Approach for Hypertension Self-Management (COACHMAN) to Improve Blood Pressure Control in African Americans: Results from a Pilot Study

PURPOSE

Adoption of technology has increased to support self-managing chronic diseases. However, behavioral interventions evaluating such technology have been understudied in African Americans with hypertension. The aim of this study was to explore a community and technology-based intervention for hypertension self-management (COACHMAN) intervention on blood pressure (BP) control and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in African Americans with hypertension.

METHODS

Sixty African Americans (mean age 60; 75% females) who were prescribed antihypertensive medications and owning a smartphone were randomized to the COACHMAN (n = 30) or enhanced usual care (n = 30) group for 12 weeks. COACHMAN is comprised of four components: web-based education, home BP monitoring, medication management application, and nurse counseling. Hypertension knowledge, self-efficacy, technology adoption/use, medication adherence, BP, and HRQoL scores were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean systolic and diastolic BP at baseline was 150.49 (SD = 13.89) and 86.80 (SD = 13.39), respectively. After completing the 3-month intervention to improve hypertension self-management, the groups did not significantly differ in BP control and HRQoL. Clinically relevant BP reduction was observed in the intervention group. Paired t-test showed that mean medication-taking adherence scores significantly improved in the intervention group (P = 0.023) compared to the control group (P = 0.075).

CONCLUSION

Using technology may have a positive impact on supporting hypertension self-management, particularly in medication-taking adherence. Further research is warranted in a larger sample and should include standardization of medication management to isolate the effects of behavioral interventions on changes in BP.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03722667.