Purpose
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent and often progresses to end-stage renal disease without effective self-management. This study examined the effects of an Individual and Family Self-Management Program delivered via a mobile communication application on self-management behaviors and clinical outcomes among patients with stage 3 CKD.
Methods
A 12-week quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted among 50 patients with stage 3 CKD at a tertiary hospital in Thailand, between January and May 2024. The intervention group received a self-management program grounded in Individual and Family Self-Management Theory and delivered via the LINE chatbot. The program included educational content, self-regulation strategies, and structured family support, while the control group received usual care. Outcomes included self-management behaviors, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Analysis of covariance was used to adjust for baseline differences.
Results
After adjustment for baseline values, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in self-management behaviors (F=7.92, p<.05) and eGFR (F=52.92, p<.001) compared with the control group. Significant reductions were also observed in SBP (F=26.84, p<.001), DBP (F=12.61, p<.05), and HbA1c levels (F=7.74, p<.05).
Conclusion
A mobile-based Individual and Family Self-Management Program effectively improved self-management behaviors and key clinical outcomes among patients with stage 3 CKD, supporting the integration of family engagement and digital technology in chronic disease care.