Open AccessSMARTWOMAN™: Feasibility assessment of a smartphone app to control cardiovascular risk factors in vulnerable diabetic women
Author(s) -
Wenger Nanette K.,
Williams Olubunmi O.,
Parashar Susmita
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.23124
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , blood pressure , sphygmomanometer , physical therapy , smartphone application , disease , population , mobile apps , smartphone app , gerontology , endocrinology , multimedia , environmental health , world wide web , computer science , internet privacy
Background/Hypothesis SMARTWOMAN™ was designed to develop and assess the feasibility of a smartphone app to control cardiovascular risk factors in vulnerable diabetic women. Methods Fourteen African‐American women with diabetes and without known cardiovascular disease were enrolled. A weight‐scale, glucometer, sphygmomanometer, and FitBit were synchronized to the smartphone, and text messaging was provided. Follow‐up was 6 months. Results Patients were able to follow instructions for app use and device prompts. Weekly device reporting was 85% for blood glucose, 82.5% for daily steps, and 77% for systolic blood pressure. Patient engagement levels were 85% to 100% at 1 month and 50% to 78% at month 6. The majority reported text messages to be useful, easy to understand, and appropriate in frequency. The women indicated on the exit questionnaire that study participation increased their motivation and ability to take charge of their health. Conclusions Use of a smartphone app to control cardiovascular risk factors appears feasible in a population of vulnerable indigent African‐American diabetic women, resulted in increased patient satisfaction and positive reinforcement to healthy behaviors, and warrants a larger clinical outcome trial.