From the Wall Street Journal summary: A recent study has found evidence suggesting text messages could reduce one’s odds of a second heart attack. A six-month clinical trial in Australia found that patients recovering from a heart attack were more likely to maintain lower blood pressure, less body fat and lower cholesterol levels than a control group when the patients received text messages asking and giving suggestions about their health routines. Patients receiving the texts also were more likely to be active and to quit smoking than the patients in the control group, who didn't receive such texts.

From the article objective: "The objective of this study was to test whether the dissemination of health information via a short message service (SMS) led to improvements in health knowledge and self-reported health-related behaviors."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunities for improving motivation for positive self-reported behavior change among hypertensive patients

From the article abstract: There is intensive exploration of this inexpensive mobile telecommunication technology to improve health services and promote behavior change among vulnerable populations. However, a neglected area of research is the documentation and critical analysis of the formative research process required in the development and refinement of effective SMS messages.

mFHAST implication: From the article abstract: The accessibility of SMS messages over existing mobile networks is high and has almost universal availability even on older and unsophisticated mobile phones and in geographic settings where wireless coverage is weak.

From the PubMed abstract: "Mobile technology has the potential to deliver behavior change interventions (mHealth) to reduce coronary heart disease (CHD) at modest cost. Previous studies have focused on single behaviors; however, cardiac rehabilitation (CR), a component of CHD self-management, needs to address multiple risk factors."

mFHAST Implications: Opportunity for SMS interventions to increase adherence behavior changes needed to reduce coronary heart disease

From the JAMA Abstract: "Among patients with coronary heart disease, the use of a lifestyle-focused text messaging service compared with usual care resulted in a modest improvement in LDL-C level and greater improvement in other cardiovascular disease risk factors. The duration of these effects and hence whether they result in improved clinical outcomes remain to be determined."

mFHAST Implications: Ability of targeted text messages to improve lifestyle decisions toward cardiovascular health