Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Smartphone Application-Based Dietary Self-Management Program On Haemodialysis Patients

Aims and objectives: To develop a smartphone application-based dietary self-management program for haemodialysis patients and to examine its effects on biochemical indicators, self-efficacy and quality of life.Background: Lack of dietary management in haemodialysis patients can lead to serious complications such as oedema, hyponatremia, hyperkalaemia, hypertension, uraemia and eventually death; however, studies using smartphone applications for dietary self-management in haemodialysis patients are rare.Design: A prospective, single-blind, randomised, controlled design with repeated measures was followed with 75 haemodialysis patients at a haemodialysis centre. Data were collected from 10 January 2017-6 May 2018. The study applied the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement.Methods: The 8-week smartphone application-based dietary self-management program was developed through collaboration with a haemodialysis equipment company. The experimental group took this program while the control group took an 8-week general program. Study variables were serum phosphorus, potassium and albumin, self-efficacy and quality of life. They were measured at pretest, and 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the programs, and analysed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance.Findings: The smartphone application-based program significantly improved serum phosphorus, potassium, self-efficacy and quality of life over time compared with the general program. There was no significant difference in albumin level changes between the groups.Conclusions: The smartphone application-based dietary self-management program is an opportune and effective nursing intervention to lower serum phosphorus and potassium levels in haemodialysis patients over time. Trial registration was performed on (KCT0005366).Relevance to clinical practice: Haemodialysis patients can easily use the smartphone application to manage their diet anytime and anywhere. They can get real-time feedback and solutions to prevent haemodialysis complications. Nurses can provide tailored high-quality care based on an individual's lifelog data from the smartphone application.