Mobile health app with social media to support self-management for patients with chronic kidney disease: Prospective randomized controlled study
Journal
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Journal Volume
22
Journal Issue
12
Pages
e19452
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden. Self-management plays a key role in improving modifiable risk factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable devices, a health management platform, and social media at improving the self-management of CKD, with the goal of establishing a new self-management intervention model. Methods: In a 90-day prospective experimental study, a total of 60 people with CKD at stages 1-4 were enrolled in the intervention group (n=30) and control group (n=30). All participants were provided with wearable devices that collected exercise-related data. All participants maintained dietary diaries using a smartphone app. All dietary and exercise information was then uploaded to a health management platform. Suggestions about diet and exercise were provided to the intervention group only, and a social media group was created to inspire the participants in the intervention group. Participants' self-efficacy and self-management questionnaire scores, Kidney Disease Quality of Life scores, body composition, and laboratory examinations before and after the intervention were compared between the intervention and control groups. Results: A total of 49 participants completed the study (25 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group); 74% of the participants were men and the mean age was 51.22 years. There were no differences in measured baseline characteristics between the groups except for educational background. After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores for self-efficacy (mean 171.28, SD 22.92 vs mean 142.21, SD 26.36; P<.001) and self-management (mean 54.16, SD 6.71 vs mean 47.58, SD 6.42; P=.001). Kidney Disease Quality of Life scores were also higher in the intervention group (mean 293.16, SD 34.21 vs mean 276.37, SD 32.21; P=.02). The number of steps per day increased in the intervention group (9768.56 in week 1 and 11,389.12 in week 12). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group (mean 72.47, SD 24.28 vs mean 59.69, SD 22.25 mL/min/1.73m2; P=.03) and the decline in eGFR was significantly slower in the intervention group (-0.56 vs -4.58 mL/min/1.73m2). There were no differences in body composition between groups postintervention. Conclusions: The use of wearable devices, a health management platform, and social media support not only strengthened self-efficacy and self-management but also improved quality of life and a slower eGFR decline in people with CKD at stages 1-4. These results outline a new self-management model to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors for patients with CKD. ? Wen-Yi Li, Fu-Chun Chiu, Jyun-Kai Zeng, Yao-Wei Li, Su-Hua Huang, Hui-Chin Yeh, Bor-Wen Cheng, Feng-Jung Yang. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 15.12.2020. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; Article; basal metabolic rate; blood pressure regulation; body composition; body height; body weight; chronic kidney failure; clinical article; cognition; comorbidity; comparative study; controlled study; diabetes mellitus; disease burden; dyslipidemia; estimated glomerular filtration rate; female; health care management; health education; human; hypertension; laboratory test; male; medical information; middle aged; motor performance; nephrologist; prospective study; quality of life; questionnaire; randomized controlled trial; sexual function; Short Form 36; social media; telehealth; chronic kidney failure; electronic device; mobile application; procedures; psychology; self care; social media; telemedicine; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Self-Management; Social Media; Telemedicine; Wearable Electronic Devices
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Type
journal article