Application of Alfalfa App in the management of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: In recent years, mobile medical technology has made great progress in chronic disease management, but its application in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) still needs to be clarified. Objective: This study aims to determine whether the newly developed smartphone app for patients with AF (Alfalfa App) can improve anticoagulation knowledge, drug treatment compliance, and satisfaction of AF patients. Methods: Alfalfa App integrates the functions of patient education, remote consultation, and medication reminder through a simple user interface. From June 2020 to December 2020, patients with AF were recruited in five large tertiary hospitals in China. Patients were randomly divided into the Alfalfa App or routine nursing groups. Patients’ knowledge, medication adherence, and satisfaction with anticoagulation were assessed using validated questionnaires at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Results: In this randomized controlled trial, 113 patients with AF were included, 57 patients were randomly assigned to the Alfalfa App group, and 56 patients were randomly assigned to the routine nursing group. Forty-eight patients in the Alfalfa App group completed a three-month follow-up, and 48 patients in the routine nursing group completed a three-month follow-up. Basic demographic data were comparable between the two groups. The average age of AF patients was 61.65 ± 11.01 years old, and 61.5% of them were male. With time (baseline to 3 months), the knowledge scores of the Alfalfa App group (P