Comparing the effectiveness of the BPMAP (Blood Pressure Management Application) and usual care in self-management of primary hypertension and adherence to treatment in patients aged 30–60 years: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the most important and well-known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, in spite of effective treatments, adherence to the regular use of drugs and other nondrug treatments, such as lifestyle improvement, is often poor. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an educational, supportive intervention – in the form of a Blood Pressure Management Application (BPMAP) – on self-management in patients with primary hypertension on controlling the determinant factors of hypertension, and on adherence to treatment. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm, parallel-design randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted on 30 to 60 year-old patients with primary hypertension who are attending the Tehran Heart Center. One hundred and thirty-two (132) patients will be randomly assigned to the intervention and control (usual method) groups. The most important inclusion criteria are, having primary hypertension and being pharmacologically treated for it, and not having developed the complications of hypertension, such as myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke and cardiac insufficiency. The participants should be able to read Persian and be able to use the application. The most important outcomes of the study include adherence to treatment, weight control, and regular monitoring of blood pressure which are assessed in the primary assessment (baseline data questionnaire) and again at the 8(th) and 24(th) weeks. The intervention is a mobile application that has capabilities such as reminders and scientific and supportive information. DISCUSSION: This application has been programmed to reduce many of the nonadherence factors of hypertension treatment. Therefore, the findings may contribute to a rise in adherence to treatment. If proven to have an appropriate impact, it may be extended for use in the national hypertension control plan. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the Iran Randomized Clinical Trial Center under the number IRCT2015111712211N2 on 1 January 2016. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1638-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.