A new study in JMIR Cardio shows that a fully digital, artificial intelligence-driven lifestyle coaching program can effectively reduce blood pressure in adults with hypertension.
This AI-based program, according to a news release by digital health publisher JMIR Publications, leverages data from wearable activity trackers and blood-pressure monitors as well as a mobile app questionnaire to tailor lifestyle guidance.
The research team, led by Jared Leitner, co-founder of Cipra.ai and once part of the Mobile Systems Design Lab at UC San Diego, used the intervention to help manage hypertension and enhance patient engagement, offering a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional coaching models.
The researchers employed a single-arm nonrandomized trial to evaluate the effects of the program’s personalized lifestyle guidance, which was delivered to 141 participants through SMS text messages and a mobile app.
Over 24 weeks, participants with stage 2 hypertension showed significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic BP. At 12 weeks, systolic BP decreased by an average of 9.6 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 5.7 mm Hg.
These reductions were more pronounced at 24 weeks, with systolic BP dropping by 14.2 mm Hg and diastolic BP by 8.1 mm Hg.
The coaching program led to an increase in participants achieving control over their blood pressure and a decrease in participants with stage 2 hypertension.
The study also highlighted high participant engagement and minimal need for outreach to a clinician. This indicates that the AI-driven approach also substantially reduces workloads for health-care providers.
“By pinpointing the top lifestyle contributors to patients’ hypertension and providing precise guidance, the AI-powered lifestyle coaching was able to maintain high patient engagement leading to improved patient outcomes,” Leitner said. “This study demonstrates how an AI-based, autonomous approach to hypertension-related lifestyle coaching can increase scalability and accessibility to effective blood pressure management.”
