To evalate the effectiveness and suitability of a wearable health monitoring device for community-based management of hypertension.

In December 2015, 400 patients with hypertension were enrolled from Beijing, Chaoyang. Subjects were divided into an experimental group (220 cases) and control group (180 cases), and baseline data were collected. The control group received follow-up with general planning while the experimental group received wearable health devices. Follow-up was performed three times using a questionnaire (April, August, and December 2016), and medical staff provided feedback and guidance. The experimental group was also classified according to risk factors and intervention measures were individually designed, and included monitor and medication compliance, self-management ability, and social support. Communication between patients and medical staff was recorded to form a case system. Evaluation indexes included accuracy and reliability, blood pressure management efficacy, behavior intervention efficacy, satisfaction, and disease burden. A t-test, non-parametric test, and chi-square test were used to compare the experimental and control groups before and after intervention.

At 1-year follow-up, after correcting for differences in baseline information between the two groups, statistically significant differences in numerical indexes were observed for number of visits within 1 month [1(1) vs. 1(1), Z=5.42], payment within 1 month [85(141) yuan vs. 40(70) yuan, Z=-2.66], visiting time [20(20) min vs. 20(15) min, Z=-2.82], exercise times [4.79(2.24) times/week vs. 4.09(2.00) times/week, Z=9.27], medication compliance score [7.33(5.77) vs. 8.70(5.24), Z=6.86], satisfaction [9.27(0.08) vs. 8.88(0.10), Z=11.77], diastolic pressure [(78.93±0.56) mmHg vs. (81.32±0.61)mmHg, F=8.70] (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and body mass index [(25.55±0.27) kg/m²vs. (27.74±0.43) kg/m², F=-2.24]. In addition, classification indexes adjusted for normalized blood pressure and habitus were different between experimental and control groups (χ²=3.89, 8.38, P≤0.05). The equipment worked well, with performance rates of over 90% (90.9%, 97.3%, and 92.7%).

The wearable health monitoring equipment showed good stability and reliability, and was able to effectively support health management in patients with hypertension in the community. At the same time, the equipment can improve healthy lifestyle compliance and awareness or self-management of blood pressure. In this manner, the burden of disease is reduced and the quality of life is improved.

Hypertension; Community health services; Health management; Wearable devices