A comparative study of blood pressure submission between mobilec app users and non-users in Romania: a pilot cohort study.
Liviu Ionut Serbanoiu, Stefan Sebastian Busnatu, Andreea Elena Lacraru and 6 others
PMID 40352115WHAT IT FOUND
Patients using a mobile app submitted blood pressure readings far more often than those without it.
However, this pilot study was underpowered and relied on self-selected users, so it cannot prove the app causes better adherence or improves health outcomes.
Key findings
01App users averaged 31.79 blood pressure submissions over two months, compared to 7.41 for non-users.
02The study lacked sufficient statistical power to detect significant differences in the main results due to the small app user group.
03App users self-selected into the study, which may have introduced bias if they were already more motivated to monitor their health.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study was underpowered because only 24 patients used the app, far fewer than the 52 needed for statistical significance. The comparison groups were not matched; app users were recruited from clinics, while non-users were recruited online, introducing potential selection bias. App users may have been more motivated to monitor their health than non-users, regardless of the app. The study did not measure clinical outcomes like blood pressure control or hospitalizations, only the frequency of data entry. The app did not provide medical feedback, so it is unclear if the engagement translated to better health management.
Declared interests
The authors developed the mobile app used in the study in collaboration with engineers. The article processing charge was funded by the authors' institution.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this app improves patient adherence or health outcomes. The study was underpowered, the groups were not comparable, and the higher submission rate in app users may simply reflect that more motivated patients chose to use the app.