Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39561360›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2024

An Investigation of the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using a Commercial DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) App in People With High Blood Pressure: Mixed Methods Study.

Ghadah Alnooh, Jozaa Z AlTamimi, Elizabeth A Williams, Mark S Hawley

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ghadah AlnoohCentre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-1352-0449
Jozaa Z AlTamimiDepartment of Sports Health, College of Sports Sciences & Physical Activity, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-5510-0768
Elizabeth A WilliamsCentre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-1431-7549
Mark S HawleyCentre for Assistive Technology and Connected Healthcare, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-2349-4491

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of smartphone apps for dietary self-management among patients with high blood pressure is becoming increasingly common. Few commercially available DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet apps have the potential to be effective, and only a few of these have adequate security and privacy measures. In previous studies, we identified 2 high-quality apps that are likely effective and safe. One of these, the Noom app, was selected as the most suitable app for use in the Saudi Arabian context based on health care professionals' and patients' preferences.

objectiveThis study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of using the Noom app to support DASH diet self-management among people with high blood pressure in Saudi Arabia.

methodsThis mixed methods study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using the Noom app among people with high blood pressure in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fourteen participants with high blood pressure were recruited and asked to use the app for 8 weeks. The quantitative outcome measures were DASH diet adherence and self-efficacy. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed during and after the intervention via the Noom diet-tracking engagement questionnaire, the System Usability Scale, and semistructured interviews.

resultsMost participants (8/13, 62%) logged their meals for 3 to 5 days a week; the frequency of logging increased over time. Snacks were the foods they most often forgot to log. The interviews revealed four main themes: (1) acceptance, (2) app usability, (3) technical issues, and (4) suggestions for improvement. Most participants found the Noom app acceptable, and most had no difficulties integrating it into their daily routines. The results of this feasibility study provided insights into the app's educational content, some of which was deemed unsuitable for Saudi Arabian users. App usability was identified as a critical theme: the app and its database were easy to use, convenient, and valuable to most of the participants. Despite this, some of the participants reported difficulties in identifying some foods because of a lack of local options on the app. Technical issues included the app freezing or responding slowly. Most participants also suggested developing an Arabic version of the app and simplifying the method of food logging. The participants showed some improvement in self-efficacy and adherence to the DASH diet, although these improvements were not statistically significant. The mean self-efficacy score increased from 18 (SD 4.7) to 20 (SD 6.3), and the mean DASH diet score increased from 3.4 (SD 1.4) to 4.3 (SD 1.1).

conclusionsThe app was feasible and acceptable among the participants who completed the study. Further studies are needed to examine the potential of smartphone apps in promoting adherence to the DASH diet and their impact on blood pressure among individuals with hypertension in Saudi Arabia.

Indexed as

Dietary Approaches To Stop HypertensionFeasibility StudiesHypertensionMobile ApplicationsAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSaudi ArabiaSurveys and Questionnairesblood pressureDASH dietDietary Approaches to Stop HypertensionhypertensionmHealthmobile healthmobile phoneSaudi Arabiaself-efficacy

Identifiers

PMID39561360
PMCPMC11615541

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.