Feasibility of using a mobile application for the monitoring and management of stroke-associated risk factors.

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 (Hb(A1c)) 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.