EFFECTIVENESS OF SELF-AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT COMBINED WITH THE MOBILE HEALTH APPLICATION PROGRAM AMONG PERSONS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE 3: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health burden in the world, as well as in Thailand. Self-management strategies can effective prevent the progression of chronic diseases. This randomized controlled experimental study examined the effectiveness of self-management and family management support in combination with the mHealth application program in persons with stage 3 CKD.

The 40 patients with stage 3 CKD and their family members were recruited between November 2020 and 2021. They were randomly allocated into either the experimental (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The control group received the usual care, while the experimental group received the program in addition to the usual care. Four sessions of the program were carried out over four weeks, including pre-intervention (week 1), post-intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 16) periods. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and an independent t-test were used.

According to the results, there were statistically significant differences in the interaction effects (time*group) as evidenced by the mean score for self-management behaviors, SBP, and DBP. The participants in the experimental group had better self-management behaviors and DBP than those in the control group at the follow-up (F(1, 38) = 6.276, p < .05; F(1, 38) = 7.521, p < .05, respectively).

Furthermore, there was a significant improvement of both self-management behaviors and SBP in the experimental group across pre-intervention and follow-up (Mdiff = -13.550, p < .05; Mdiff = 10.350, p < .05, respectively).

This program has shown a statistically significant increase in self-management behavior and a decrease in BP over time, particularly in week 16. Consequently, the mHealth application should be integrated into current nursing practice to improve outcomes for those with stage 3 CKD. Long-term studies should be carried out to test the sustainability of the findings.

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