A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mobile Medical App for Kidney Transplant Recipients: Effect on Use of Sun Protection.
Robinson JK, Friedewald JJ, et alTransplantation Direct 2016; 2(1).
Aims
To examine the effect of a mobile educational intervention on sun protection behaviours among kidney transplant recipients. As a secondary aim, the study also examined the effect of participants’ skin type on the adoption of sun protection behaviours.
Interventions
Participants were randomized to receive either the educational intervention (SunProtect), or usual education (control).
Participants
170 kidney transplant recipients aged 18-85 years
Outcomes
The primary outcomes were self reported measures including knowledge of skin cancer and sun protection, concern about developing skin cancer, recognizing personal skin cancer risk, confidence in sun protection preventing skin cancer, importance of and confidence in using regular sun protection behaviour, willingness to change use of sun protection, use of sun protection, painful sunburn or skin irritation from the sun, and daily hours outdoors. Biologic measures of pigmentation and sun damage were also measured.
Follow-up
6 weeks
CET Conclusions
This RCT evaluated the effect of an educational intervention SunProtect compared with usual care in 170 kidney transplant recipients who were 2-24 months posttransplant. SunProtect was a tablet app providing information on skin cancer and sun protection including two reminders by text message, phone or email. The study was sufficiently powered for the primary outcome use of sun protection. Outcomes included a self-reported survey measuring knowledge, attitude and sun protection behaviour and two biological measures of sun damage. At six weeks, sun protection behaviours were significantly increased in the intervention group compared with the control group. SunProtect also significantly increased knowledge, concern about skin cancer, confidence in sun protection preventing skin cancer, and willingness to change behaviour compared with the control group. Results also showed that exposed skin was significantly less darkened in the intervention group for participants with skin types that tan or get darker.
Data analysis
Available case analysis
Trial registration
None