A pilot study exploring novel contexts for out-of-office blood pressure measurement

Abstract

IntroductionOut-of-office blood pressure (BP) monitoring is increasingly valuable in the diagnosis and management of hypertension. With advances in wearable BP technologies, the ability to gain insight into BP outside of traditional centers of care has expanded greatly.MethodsHere we explore the usability of a novel, wrist-worn BP cuff monitor for out-of-office data collection with participants following digital cues rather than in-person instruction. Transmitted measurements were used to evaluate BP variation with the time of day and day of week, BP variation with mood, and orthostatic measurements.ResultsFifty participants, with a mean age of 44.5 years, were enrolled and received the BP monitor. 82% of the participants transmitted data via the smartphone application, and the median wear time of the device during the 4-week study was 11 days (IQR 8-17).DiscussionThis prospective digital pilot study illustrates the usability of wearable oscillometric BP technology combined with digital cues via a smartphone application to obtain complex out-of-office BP measurements, including orthostatic vital signs and BP associated with emotion. 25 out of 32 participants who attempted orthostatic vital signs based on in-app instruction were able to do so correctly, while 24 participants transmitted BP readings associated with emotion, with a significant difference in BP noted between calm and stressed emotional states.