Developing and Evaluating a Mobile Application Self-management Program for Patients with Implantable...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Health Informatics
• Nursing

Background:

• Patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) require effective self-management strategies.
• Existing self-management tools may not fully address the needs of ICD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a mobile application self-management program for patients with ICDs.
• To assess the program's impact on patient uncertainty, self-care competence, quality of life, and physiological indicators.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental pre-post study design with a nonequivalent control group.
• The experimental group (n=32) used a mobile app and education; the control group (n=32) received a booklet and education for 8 weeks.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, ANCOVA, and ranked ANCOVA.

Main Results:

• The mobile application group showed significant improvements in physical and mental quality of life compared to the control group.
• No significant changes were observed in physiological indicators (ejection fraction, blood pressure, pulse rate).
• Self-care competence and uncertainty levels were not detailed in the abstract's results.

Conclusions:

• A mobile application self-management program can enhance the quality of life for patients with ICDs.
• This program shows potential as a valuable nursing intervention for improving patient outcomes.
• Further research may explore long-term effects and broader physiological impacts.