The WeChat platform-based health education improves health outcomes among patients with stable coronary artery disease

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the WeChat platform-based health education on patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with usual care.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial that included patients with stable CAD who were admitted to the Bin Hai Wan Central Hospital of Dongguan between January 2020 and December 2020. Participants in the control group received a standard regimen of care. In the WeChat group, the patients were provided with the WeChat platform-based health education by multidisciplinary team members in addition to usual care. The coprimary outcome of the study was the blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores at 12 months, relative to baseline levels.

Results: Between January 2020 and December 2020, 200 eligible CAD patients were randomly assigned to WeChat group (n = 100) or usual care group (n = 100). After 12 months, the number of participants who knew the risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, management methods and treating target of CAD was significantly larger in the WeChat group than at baseline (P < 0.05) and also larger than the post-intervention level of the control group (P < 0.05). The systolic blood pressure after intervention of the WeChat group significantly decreased compared to those of the control group (132.06 ± 8.87 mmHg vs 140.32 ± 9.42 mmHg; P < 0.05). After intervention, the triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of the WeChat group significantly decreased compared to those at baseline and significantly decreased than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). After the intervention, scores of HAMA and HAMD both significantly decreased in the two groups. Moreover, the decreases were more significant in the WeChat group than in the control group (5.78 ± 0.98 vs 8.54 ± 1.24; 6.27 ± 1.03 vs 8.63 ± 1.66; P < 0.05). The SAQ scores of WeChat group were significantly higher than those of the control group in all 5 dimensions at the 1-year follow-up (72.71 ± 10.83 vs 59.32 ± 9.86; 80.01 ± 11.56 vs 61.98 ± 11.02; 76.76 ± 12.64 vs 65.22 ± 10.72; 83.17 ± 13.06 vs 67.01 ± 12.86; 71.82 ± 12.78 vs 55.79 ± 11.90; all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed the high efficacy of the WeChat platform-based health education in improving health outcomes in patients with CAD.

Practice implications: This study highlighted the potential of social media as a helpful tool for health education among patients with CAD.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease; Health education; Mobile health; Public health; WeChat.