Home blood pressure monitoring: A trial on the effect of a structured education program
Author(s)
Author(s)
Fung, C. S.-C.
Wong, W. C.-W.
Wong, C. K.-H.
Lam, C. L.-K.
Date Issued
2013
Publisher
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Journal
Australian Family Physician
Volume
42
Issue
4
Start page
233
End page
237
Abstract
Background
This study aimed to assess whether a structured home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) education program can improve blood pressure control in patients.
Methods
A cluster randomised controlled trial in which half of 240 patients in the intervention group received an education program focused on using HBPM machines at home, while the other half had the usual care. The primary endpoints were mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.
Results
Systolic blood pressure dropped 1.88 mmHg (p=0.372) and diastolic blood pressure significantly dropped 3.84
mmHg (p=0.004) in intervention group at 3 months. At 6 months, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were still on a decreasing trend, but there was no significant difference in blood pressure changes between the two groups.
Discussion
The structured HBPM education program has the potential to improve patient blood pressure control at short term, but such effect appears tailing off at medium terms. Additional components may be needed to maximise and sustain the benefit of HBPM.
SFU Affiliated Publication
No
Availability at SFU Library
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