Improving treatment adherence in hypertension patients: a randomised controlled trial

Background. Arterial hypertension remains one of the leading causes of cardiovascular complications and mortality worldwide. A key factor in effective AH management is high adherence to medication therapy; however, adherence levels remain insufficient. In recent years, digital technologies, including mobile applications designed to enhance treatment adherence, have been actively developing, yet data on their effectiveness remain limited. Aim . To evaluate the impact of the mobile application CardioExpert.kz on treatment adherence and blood pressure control in patients with primary hypertension within a randomized controlled trial. Materials and methods . The study included 633 patients with primary hypertension who were randomized into two groups: a control group (standard treatment) and an experimental group (using the mobile application). The primary efficacy indicators were changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, as well as treatment adherence assessed using the MMAS-8 scale. Results and discussion. After 1 month of observation, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in systolic (-10.74±20.89 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (-2.52±12.84 mmHg) compared to the control group (р<0.001). Additionally , a statistically significant improvement in medication adherence was recorded ( р <0.001). Conclusions . The use of a mobile application demonstrated a positive effect on blood pressure control and adherence to treatment in patients with hypertension. However, further studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of digital technologies in hypertension management.