DESIGNING A GAMIFIED EXERCISE APPLICATION TAILORED FOR BLOOD PRESSURE REDUCTION IN TEMA COMMUNITY 11

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent condition that poses significant health risks if left unmanaged. In the treatment of hypertension, one of the main obstacles to achieving effective blood pressure (BP) control is poor adherence to prescribed medications. Non-adherence to medication regimens can lead to uncontrolled BP, increasing the risk of severe health complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. A promising approach to enhance participation in health interventions is gamification. Gamification involves the integration of game design principles into non-gaming environments, thereby making activities more engaging and motivating for users. Despite its potential, few studies have comprehensively assessed the effectiveness of gamified mobile health applications that have undergone clinical validation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive gamified application designed for hypertensive adults. The app includes several key features: social elements to foster community support, educational content to improve health literacy, reminders to promote consistent medication intake, and rewards to incentivize adherence. Our research aims to determine whether this gamified app can improve medication adherence and achieve significant blood pressure reductions among hypertensive patients. By incorporating a multifaceted approach that leverages social interaction, education, and motivational incentives, we hypothesize that users will be more likely to adhere to their prescribed medication regimens and, consequently, experience better BP control. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights into the potential of gamified health applications as effective tools for managing chronic conditions like hypertension. Furthermore, the results could inform the design and implementation of future digital health interventions aimed at improving patient outcomes through enhanced engagement and adherence.