For those surrogate outcomes , low-strength evidence failed to show difference .
In subgroup analysis , high strength evidence supported a lower BP with HBPT that lasted for 6 or 12 months and was accompanied with counselling support from study personnel .
HBPT can improve BP control in the hypertensive patients .
It may be more efficacious when a proactive additional support is provided during the intervention process
To summarise evidence about the effectiveness of home blood pressure telemonitoring ( HBPT )  and identify the key components of intervention .
Effects of home telemonitoring and community-based monitoring on blood pressure control in urban African Americans: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND African Americans have a higher prevalence and greater severity of hypertension than do other minorities and whites . This fact is particularly problematic when one realizes that the rate of control and treatment of hypertension in the US population is getting worse rather than better . Alternative strategies to promote blood pressure control need to be tested . OBJECTIVES The purpose of this pilot study was to test the following hypothesis : Persons who participate in nurse-managed home telemonitoring ( HT ) plus usual care or who participate in nurse-managed community-based monitoring ( CBM ) plus usual care will have greater improvement in blood pressure from baseline to 3 months ' follow-up than will persons who receive usual care only . METHODS This study used a r and omized controlled design ; participants were r and omly assigned to 1 of 3 groups that were stratified by use or nonuse of antihypertension medication . One-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) and analysis of covariance ( ANCOVA ) controlling for age and body weight were used to determine changes in blood pressure from baseline to 3 months . The sample contained 26 African Americans with a mean age of 59 years . RESULTS Both the HT group and the CBM group had clinical ly and statistically significant ( P < .05 ) drops in systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) and diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) at 3 months ' follow-up , with participants in the HT group demonstrating the greatest improvement ( HT : baseline SBP 148.8 + /- 13.8 , DBP 90.2 + /- 5.79 ; 3 months ' follow-up SBP 124.1 + /- 13.82 , DBP 75.58 + /- 11.4 ; CBM : baseline SBP 155.25 + /- 17.014 , DBP 89.42 + /- 10.95 ; 3 months ' follow-up SBP 142.3 + /- 12.1 , DBP 78.25 + /- 6.86 ) . There was little change in SBP or DBP at 3 months ' follow-up in the usual care only group . CONCLUSION These are important pilot results , which if replicated in a larger sample will significantly improve care for urban African Americans with hypertension
For those surrogate outcomes , low-strength evidence failed to show difference .
In subgroup analysis , high strength evidence supported a lower BP with HBPT that lasted for 6 or 12 months and was accompanied with counselling support from study personnel .
HBPT can improve BP control in the hypertensive patients .
It may be more efficacious when a proactive additional support is provided during the intervention process
To summarise evidence about the effectiveness of home blood pressure telemonitoring ( HBPT )  and identify the key components of intervention .