Mobile health app with social media to support self-management for patients with chronic kidney disease: Prospective randomized controlled study

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