Randomised controlled trial of a smartphone application-based dietary self-management program on haemodialysis patients.
Songyi Pack, Jia Lee
PMID 33377565WHAT IT FOUND
Haemodialysis patients using a dietary app with face-to-face training and online counselling had lower phosphorus and potassium than patients using booklets with the same training and counselling, but albumin did not differ.
Self-efficacy and quality of life changed over time without a clear group difference.
Key findings
01The app group, which received app use plus face-to-face training and online counselling, had lower serum phosphorus and potassium than the booklet group, which received the same training and counselling.
02Serum albumin did not show a significant difference between groups over time.
03Self-efficacy and quality of life scores changed over time, but the app group and control group did not differ significantly.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done at one tertiary hospital in South Korea, so results may not transfer to other settings or populations. Participants had to use a smartphone and have no hearing, language or cognitive impairment, so findings may not apply to patients who cannot use an app or who have cognitive problems. Four participants dropped out during the 8-week program and five dropped out at 12 weeks after transfer to other hospitals. The program was developed for Korean foods and may not cover diverse ethnic food items. The program focused only on diet, not exercise or emotion. Both groups received face-to-face training and online counselling, so the contribution of the app alone cannot be separated.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. The application was developed through collaboration with F company.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the smartphone app alone caused the lower phosphorus and potassium. Both groups received face-to-face dietary training and online counselling, and the paper does not separate the contribution of the app from those components.