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A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effects of a Technology-Based and Positive Psychological Training Intervention on Blood Pressure in African Americans With Hypertension.

Carolyn Harmon StillSeunghee P MargeviciusJackson T WrightSuebarn RuksakulpiwatShirley M Moore
Published in: Journal of primary care & community health (2022)
Behavioral interventions consolidating technology are underutilized and do not reach diverse populations such as African Americans with hypertension. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of a theoretically derived, technology-based intervention in African Americans with hypertension. African Americans with hypertension (N = 18; age range 25-85; 72.22% females) were randomized to the technology-based plus positive psychological training (PPT) experimental group (n = 10) or the comparison group (n = 8) for 12 weeks. The technology-based intervention included analytic components (web-based education, self-monitoring of blood pressure [BP], and medication management using a commercially free app-Medisafe) and an emotional component (comprised of skills and behaviors directed at engaging 1 in positive activities to help build increasing healthy behaviors). The comparison group received the technology-based intervention alone. Demographic information, self-management cognitive processes, self-management behaviors, and health status outcomes were assessed. After completing the 12-week intervention, the groups did not significantly differ in health outcomes, health behavior outcomes, and technology utilization outcomes. Mean systolic BP decrease 6.02 mmHg (standard deviation [SD] = 22.75) in the comparison group and 1.1 mmHg (SD = 20.64; P  = .439) in the experimental group. Diastolic BP decreased 0.1 mmHg (SD = 11.78) in the comparison group and 1.5 mmHg (SD = 12.7; P  = .757) in the experimental group. Our findings suggest that behavioral interventions using technology have the potential to improve self-management outcomes among African American populations. Further research is warranted in a larger sample size and a longer time frame to identify the intervention's effectiveness.
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