This study investigated the impact of Integrated Care Change Tools, specifically a mobile health (mHealth) application, on self-efficacy in patients with chronic respiratory failure using home-based noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Poor adherence to NIV therapy is a common issue, and mHealth tools offer potential solutions for improving patient self-management and communication among healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 67 adult patients. The intervention group received a motivational intervention and used an mHealth app to track NIV usage, report problems, and receive automated advice. The control group received standard care. The primary outcome was the change in the Self Efficacy in Sleep Apnea questionnaire score. Secondary outcomes included app usability and acceptance, continuity of care, person-centered care, and ventilatory parameters.
Results showed no significant improvement in self-efficacy in the intervention group after three months. Adherence to therapy and quality of life also remained unchanged. However, the mHealth app demonstrated high usability (mean score of 78) and was well-accepted by patients (mean score of 7.5/10). Patients found the app user-friendly (8.2/10) and easy to use without assistance (8.5/10). Furthermore, patients reported high levels of perceived continuity of care and person-centered care.
While the integrated care intervention did not improve self-management outcomes, the positive reception of the mHealth app suggests its potential for facilitating communication and collaboration among patients, healthcare providers, and caregivers. This study highlights the importance of designing mHealth tools that effectively support collaborative work and personalized care in the context of chronic respiratory failure. Future research should explore alternative intervention strategies and further refine mHealth app features to maximize their impact on patient outcomes. This research was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03932175).
