A nudge theory-based mobile health app (LeYi) showed significant pre-to-post improvements in self-management scores and eHealth literacy over 24 weeks in young and middle-aged hypertension patients, with favorable usability ratings, though a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to determine efficacy.
Self-management scores showed significant improvement from pre- to post-intervention in young and middle-aged patients with hypertension using the LeYi app.
eHealth literacy showed significant improvement following the 24-week LeYi app intervention.
The LeYi app demonstrated favorable usability among young and middle-aged hypertension patients.
Qualitative thematic analysis identified six themes that complemented quantitative findings and highlighted technology adaptation challenges.
Young and middle-aged patients with hypertension were identified as a target population with poor self-management attributed to limited cognitive bandwidth.
The authors concluded that the LeYi app may be feasible and acceptable for enhancing self-management but that a larger randomized controlled trial is needed.
This research suggests that a smartphone app called LeYi, designed using 'nudge theory' — a behavioral economics concept that gently steers people toward healthier choices without restricting their freedom — may help younger and middle-aged adults with high blood pressure better manage their condition. Over a 24-week period, 30 participants used the app and showed meaningful improvements in both their self-management skills and their ability to find and use health information online (eHealth literacy). Users also rated the app highly for usability, suggesting it was easy and acceptable to use in daily life. The study combined numerical measurements with in-depth interviews, revealing six themes about how participants experienced the app. While most findings were positive, the interviews also highlighted that some users faced challenges adapting to the technology, an important consideration for app design going forward. The study was a small pilot without a comparison group, meaning it cannot prove that the app itself caused the improvements rather than other factors. This research suggests that embedding behavioral economics principles into health apps could be a promising strategy for helping people with hypertension — particularly younger and working-age adults who may be busy or have limited mental bandwidth for managing a chronic condition. However, the authors emphasize that a larger, properly controlled clinical trial is needed before strong conclusions about the app's effectiveness can be drawn.
Yang Y, Xu W, Zhang Y, Yang X, Li L, Yang J. (2026). A Nudge Theory-Based Mobile Health Intervention for Self-Management in Young and Middle-Aged Patients With Hypertension: Mixed Methods Pilot Study.. JMIR formative research. https://doi.org/10.2196/95444