Evaluating the effect of a smartphone app-based self-management program for people with COPD: A randomized controlled trial
Abstract
AIM
To examine the effect of a 6-month, smartphone app-based self-management program for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
BACKGROUND
Technological interventions have been used for chronic disease management, but the effect of a self-management program using a smartphone app has not been evaluated in people with COPD.
METHODS
For this randomized controlled trial, patients with COPD (N = 44) were recruited in pulmonary medicine outpatient clinics at two, metropolitan, tertiary care, academic hospitals. Eligible participants were randomized into two groups and received group education and exercise sessions in the first month of the 6-month intervention. Participants in the experimental group received a smartphone app-based self-management program, which included education, exercises, self-monitoring of symptoms and exercise, and social support. Participants in the control group received one call a month from the research staff. Self-care behavior was measured as a primary outcome. All measures were administered at baseline and at 6 months.
RESULTS
After randomization, the experimental group numbered 22, the control group numbered 20, and 2 participants dropped out. Significant differences between groups were found in change score for self-care behavior, total activity count per wear time, and percent time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over 6 months.
CONCLUSION
A self-management program, using a smartphone app, can effect behavioral…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 44 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Chaos and quantum thermalization
- The Dalton quantum chemistry program system
- Cord Blood Leptin and Adiponectin as Predictors of Adiposity in Children at 3 Years of Age: A Prospective Cohort Study
- Quantitative metabolomics by H-NMR and LC-MS/MS confirms altered metabolic pathways in diabetes
- Stable adiabatic quantum batteries
- A novel self-lipid antigen targets human T cells against CD1c(+) leukemias
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.