Efficacy of IVRS-based mHealth intervention in reducing cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome: A cluster randomized trial

Aims: Efficacy of mobile-phone based intervention for reducing cardiovascular risk in metabolic syn-drome (MetSyn). Methods: We screened adults 20-60 years in 10 villages in India for MetSyn using stratified cluster sampling. Lifestyle and biochemical risk factors were assessed. International Harmonized Criteria were used for diagnosis. Villages were randomized with 5 each in control and intervention groups. Interactive voice response system (IVRS) in Hindi was developed. In intervention clusters two messages for pro-motion of healthy lifestyle and medical treatment were broadcast daily over 12-months and risk factors reassessed. Results: 1012/1200(84%) persons were screened and MetSyn diagnosed in 286(28.3%). Villages were divided into 5 control(n = 136) and 5 intervention(n = 147) clusters. Baseline characteristics in both clusters were similar. Acceptability of intervention was >60% in 80% participants. At 12 months, signif-icantly greater participants in intervention vs control clusters had healthier lifestyle (healthy diet 28.8vs14.7%, physical activity 25.9vs13.1%, tobacco 13.7vs32.5%), anthropometry (waist circumference 85.7 +/- 6.3vs88.6 +/- 14.0 cm, body mass index 21.9 +/- 2.8vs23.1 +/- 2.9 kg/m(2)), systolic BP 123.6 +/- 7.7vs128.6 +/- 14.1 mmHg, fasting glucose 95.6 +/- 19.4vs109.4 +/- 43.7 mg/dl, cholesterol 175.5 +/- 36.5vs186.4 +/- 43.3 mg/dl, and triglycerides 147.6 +/- 48.3vs159.5 +/- 60.7 mg/dl (p < 0.01). Prev-alence of metabolic syndrome declined in intervention group by 22.3%vs3.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: An interactive voice response system based technology significantly reduced multiple car-diovascular risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Diabetes India.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that a mobile-phone based intervention significantly reduced cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome, increased the acceptance of healthy lifestyle, and decreased the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.