Digital therapeutics in hypertension: How to make sustainable lifestyle changes

Abstract

Abstract Various digital therapeutic products have been validated and approved since 2017. They have demonstrated efficacy and safety as a new therapeutic modality in various disorders or conditions. Hypertension is a common but serious condition that can be prevented or controlled with lifestyle changes and medicines. Although a digital therapeutic in hypertension is validated and approved in Japan, whether digital therapeutics (DTx) can significantly improve sustainable lifestyle changes is still a controversial topic. Most studies did not discuss the long‐term gain challenges. In this review, the authors discuss the definition of DTx, and analyze the motivation, engagement and adherence challenges of DTx in hypertension. Some ongoing artificial intelligence (AI)‐enabled or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)‐based digital interventions and behavioral strategies for implementing sustainable lifestyle changes are identified and analyzed. With AI‐enabled interventions and behavioral strategies, DTx might be one of the effective approaches to make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Keywords

• behavior change
• digital intervention
• digital therapeutics
• hypertension
• lifestyle modification