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Research Article: Functionality and Usability of mHealth Apps in Patients with Peritoneal Dialysis: A Systematic Review

Date Published: 2024-03-05

Abstract:
mHealth has been utilized in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease, allowing the collection of patient health-related data, offering disease-related information, enabling the tracking and recording of biochemical parameters, and enabling communication with healthcare providers in real time through applications. mHealth may improve the health outcomes in patients with peritoneal dialysis. This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence regarding the functionality and usability of mHealth apps in patients with peritoneal dialysis. We conducted a comprehensive literature review, searching in five databases, including CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science, to retrieve titles and abstracts related to peritoneal dialysis and mHealth applications for PRISMA recommendations from January 2013 to December 2023. Overall, 11 studies met all the inclusion criteria. The functionality of mHealth apps included inform, instruct, record, display, guide, remind/alert, and communicate. Most of the apps have multifunctionality. The usability was categorized into three aspects: efficiency (self-efficacy and usability), satisfaction, and effectiveness (underwent kidney transplantation and switched to hemodialysis, rehospitalization, peritonitis rate, infection rates at exit sites, mortality, fluid overload, inadequate solute clearance, biochemical values, quality of life, consumer quality index, and technology readiness). Generally, outcomes in the intervention group had better effects compared to those in the control group. Multifunctional mHealth apps show a good potential in improving the efficiency, satisfaction, and effectiveness for patients compared to traditional care. Future research should include more studies and participants to explore and verify the long-term effectiveness of mHealth apps.

Introduction:
Unlike hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) does not require patients to visit hospitals for dialysis two to three times a week, allowing them to maintain their regular work and social activities, preserving their independence and freedom [1]. Additionally, the cost of hemodialysis was 1.37 times compared to peritoneal dialysis in Taiwan, and opting for PD can reduce healthcare costs. Despite these advantages, most patients continue to prefer HD [2]. The reluctance toward PD may stem from the fact that it…

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