Adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso de pacientes com hipertensão: influência do uso de aplicativo m-Health.

Objective: to investigate the use of m-Health applications by patients with hypertension in adherence to medication treatment and reduction/stabilization of blood pressure. Method: non-randomized, controlled, and non-blind clinical trial. A total of 37 participants, adults and elderly, men and women, diagnosed with arterial hypertension and undergoing continuous medical treatment, were recruited. Over 3 months, the control group followed conventional treatment, while the intervention group used the m-Health application. Adherence to treatment was assessed using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale questionnaire. Results: there was no significant difference in treatment adherence between the groups, both preintervention (p=0.360) and post-intervention (p=0.065). Regarding blood pressure values, there was no significant difference between the groups. However, a decrease in pressure was observed in the intervention group of about 8 mmHg in systolic pressure (from 140.34±20.78 to 132.00±22.14). Conclusion: the app showed potential applicability in improving adherence of hypertensive patients to therapies. It is suggested that new studies in digital health be conducted with a stronger link between patients and professionals, recruiting non-adherent patients and over a more extended period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]