A systematic review pooled 29 randomised, single-arm and observational studies of mobile applications, wearables and combined platforms used for vascular risk factor management in 8,389 adults after ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Digital interventions were associated with a between-group systolic blood pressure difference of -5.8 mmHg (95% CI -9.9 to -1.6), but prediction intervals crossed the null and heterogeneity was substantial, while diastolic pressure, lipids and weight showed no consistent effect. Aggregate dropout was 3.6%, median follow-up about three months, and few trials were powered for recurrent stroke or death.
Why it is interesting: It sets out how far remote risk-factor management has been shown to go after stroke, with the evidence stopping short of recurrent events or mortality.