Digital Health Technologies for Risk Factor Management and Secondary Prevention After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Shervin Badihian, Margarita Fedorova, Bradley Ashley Ong et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of digital health interventions for managing vascular risk factors in stroke survivors. Analyzing 29 studies with 8,389 participants, the findings indicated a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure of -5.8 mm Hg compared to control conditions. However, the evidence for other risk factors was inconsistent.
Key findings
- Digital health interventions led to a pooled mean reduction in systolic blood pressure of -5.8 mm Hg.
- The aggregate dropout rate across studies was low at 3.6%.
- No consistent effects were found for diastolic blood pressure, lipid levels, or weight.
- Most studies reported favorable trends in physical activity and medication adherence.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of digital health technologies in managing vascular risk factors post-stroke is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This review highlights the potential for modest benefits in blood pressure control, which is vital for secondary prevention strategies.
What to keep in mind
Most studies had short follow-up durations, and few were adequately powered to assess recurrent stroke or mortality.