The Effects of Biomedical Animations on Hypertension Knowledge and Self-care Behavior: Randomized Controlled Pilot Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) is often driven by poor engagement in recommended self-care behaviors. Barriers include limited knowledge, misaligned beliefs, and low motivation. Video-based patient education can improve these factors and is scalable and low burden. However, prior HTN interventions have not used biomedical animation to visually explain how lifestyle behaviors increase blood pressure and lead to chronic complications. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a video-based intervention using biomedical animation (Healthflix) on HTN knowledge, beliefs, motivation, and self-care behaviors among adults with hypertension. METHODS In this randomized controlled pilot study, 50 adults with HTN were assigned to either the Healthflix intervention or a written HTN fact sheet. The intervention and surveys were delivered via REDCap at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a two-week follow-up. Outcomes included HTN knowledge, health beliefs, motivation, and self-care behaviors. RESULTS Participants were primarily female (62%), college-educated (86%), and had a mean age of 39.1 ± 10.3 years. Post-intervention, Healthflix participants demonstrated significantly higher HTN knowledge (β = 0.32, p = 0.048) and perceived severity (β = 1.68, p = 0.046) than controls. At two-week follow-up, perceived benefits were significantly higher in the Healthflix group (β = 4.76, p = 0.03). Although additional outcomes favored the Healthflix group, differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The Healthflix intervention shows promise for improving HTN knowledge and beliefs among adults with HTN. Video-based education incorporating biomedical animation may enhance understanding of complex health information and support HTN self-care, warranting further study in larger trials. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable