J Clin Neurol.  2015 Apr;11(2):142-148. 10.3988/jcn.2015.11.2.142.

Feasibility of Using a Mobile Application for the Monitoring and Management of Stroke-Associated Risk Factors

• Seo WK
• Kang J
• Jeon M
• Lee K
• Lee S
• Kim JH
• Oh K
• Koh SB

• KMID: 2242658
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2015.11.2.142

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Recent advances in information technology have created opportunities for advances in the management of stroke. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of using a smartphone software application (app) for the management of vascular risk factors in patients with stroke.
METHODS
This prospective clinical trial developed a smartphone app, the 'Korea University Health Monitoring System for Stroke: KUHMS2,' for use by patients with stroke. During a 6-month follow-up period, its feasibility was assessed by measuring the changes in their vascular risk-factor profiles and the number of days per patient with data registration into the app. The effect of the app on the achievement rate of risk-factor targets was assessed by classifying subjects into compliant and noncompliant groups.
RESULTS
At the end of the trial, data on 48 patients were analyzed. The number of days on which data were registered into the app was 60.42+/-50.17 (mean+/-standard deviation). Among predefined vascular risk factors, the target achievement rate for blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) improved significantly from baseline to the final measurement. The serial changes in achievement rates for risk-factor targets did not differ between the compliant and noncompliant groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Many challenges must be overcome before mobile apps can be used for patients with stroke. Nevertheless, the app tested in this study induced a shift in the risk profiles in a favorable direction among the included stroke patients.

Keyword

stroke; risk factor; health care; mobile application

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Delivery of Health Care
Follow-Up Studies
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Humans
Mobile Applications*
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors*
Stroke
Smartphone

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Serial changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI). Comparisons were made using repeated-measures ANOVA. A significant effect time was found for SBP, DBP, waist circumference, and BMI at 90 days compared with the respective baseline measures. However, the serial changes in each measure did not differ between the compliant and noncompliant groups. ANOVA: analysis of variance.

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