Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial on the Development and Effectiveness of an Educational Mobile Application Using an Integrated Change Model to Prevent Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Afsaneh  Aein; Mahnaz  Solhi; Ali Vashegani  Farahani; Mohammad  Aljasem; Farshid  Alaeddini; Leila  Janani; Negar  Omidi; Mohammad Hossein  Taghdisi

doi:10.18502/jthc.v19i3.16860

Afsaneh Aein Department of Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahnaz Solhi Department of Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ali Vashegani Farahani Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Aljasem School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farshid Alaeddini Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Leila Janani Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Negar Omidi Cardiac Primary Prevention Research Center, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Taghdisi Department of Education and Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v19i3.16860

Keywords: Atherosclerotic; Education; Mobile app; Cardiovascular disease; Prevention; Risk factor

Abstract

Background: An effective approach to preventing cardiovascular issues is the use of mobile health applications to improve modifiable risk factors. This protocol for a randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the development and effectiveness of an educational mobile app that employs an integrated change model to reduce risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among individuals aged 20 to 69 years.

Methods: This study will be a parallel, randomized, single-blind clinical trial utilizing the randomized block design involving 430 participants. The participants will be divided into a control group receiving standard clinical care and an intervention group receiving standard clinical care along with app-based education, over approximately 6 months.

Conclusion: This application has been designed to enhance motivation, awareness, and positive habits to reduce risk factors in individuals at increased risk of ASCVD. Consequently, the results could improve cardiovascular health knowledge, manage biological risk factors, and modify cardiac behaviors through mobile applications. This research is expected to present a promising approach to utilizing mobile apps for managing cardiovascular health and contribute to the growing body of research on digital health interventions.