Clinical Scorecard: A Mobile Health Intervention Utilizing Behavioral Economics to Enhance Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients: Results from a Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Non-adherence rates among hypertensive patients range from 50% to 80%.
• The study evaluated a mobile application designed to improve medication adherence.
• Participants were randomized into three groups: mApp with financial incentives, mApp without incentives, and standard-of-care.
• The mApp includes features like medication reminders and gamification to support adherence.
• The study was conducted across five urban tertiary-care centers in Switzerland.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Regular monitoring of blood pressure as per the 2018 ESC/ESH guidelines.

Management

• Utilization of multifaceted interventions to improve medication adherence.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Assessment of adherence and blood pressure at baseline, endpoint, and during follow-up.

Risks

• Non-adherence contributes to increased mortality and healthcare costs.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Hypertensive patients experiencing non-adherence to medication.

Financial incentives may enhance adherence rates among patients using the mApp.

Clinical Best Practices

• Implement reminder systems and patient education to improve adherence.
• Consider financial incentives as part of adherence interventions.

Related Resources & Content

• World Health Organization Global report on hypertension 2025
• 2018 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension guidelines