Effect of Financial Incentives on Hypertension Control: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial in China. Issue 10 (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zheng, Liqiang; Liu, Sitong; Jiao, Yundi; Wu, Yani; Wang, Yali; Yu, Zhecong; Xu, Jiahui; Sun, Yingxian; Sun, Zhaoqing
• Is Part Of: Hypertension. Volume 79:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 2202
• Page End: 2211
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: blood pressure -- China -- hypertension -- motivation -- randomized controlled trial; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-911X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Poorly controlled hypertension is a great challenge to global public health. Incentive approaches, based on behavioral and economic concepts, may improve patients' adherence to treatment. methods: We conducted a 2-arm randomized controlled trial to test whether financial incentives can help patients with poorly controlled hypertension in China reduce their blood pressure (BP). Participants were randomized 1:1 to the control and intervention groups. All participants received WeChat-based standard education and support for hypertension management. The intervention group received financial incentives, including process- and outcome-based incentives. Results: No statistically significant differences in BP reduction and hypertension control rates were found between the two groups from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Mean systolic BP decreased from 158.7 to 149.8 mm Hg in the intervention group and 159.7 to 149.5 mm Hg in the control group ( P =0.639). Mean diastolic BP decreased from 93.7 to 86.6 mm Hg in the intervention group and 93.9 to 86.3 mm Hg in the control group ( P =0.667). Hypertension control rates in the intervention and control groups were 20.8% and 15.8%, respectively ( P =0.318). Medication adherence was 84.2% in the intervention group and 86.2% in the control group ( P =0.705). Conclusions: Financial incentives were effective in the short term for BP control, but a sustained effect of incentive-based BP control was not identified beyond 3 months of intervention. Future studies that focus on identifying the appropriate amount and structure of financial incentives for BP control are warranted. Registration: URL: www.isrctn.org ; Unique identifier: ISRCTN13467677.