Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden. Self-management plays a key role in improving modifiable risk factors. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable devices, a health management platform, and social media at improving the self-management of CKD, with the goal of establishing a new self-management intervention model. Methods In a 90-day prospective experimental study, a total of 60 people with CKD at stages 1-4 were enrolled in the intervention group (n=30) and control group (n=30). All participants were provided with wearable devices that collected exercise-related data. All participants maintained dietary diaries using a smartphone app. All dietary and exercise information was then uploaded to a health management platform. Suggestions about diet and exercise were provided to the intervention group only, and a social media group was created to inspire the participants in the intervention group. Participants’ self-efficacy and self-management questionnaire scores, Kidney Disease Quality of Life scores, body composition, and laboratory examinations before and after the intervention were compared between the intervention and control groups. Results A total of 49 participants completed the study (25 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group); 74% of the participants were men and the mean age was 51.22 years. There were no differences in measured baseline characteristics between the groups except for educational background. After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher scores for self-efficacy (mean 171.28, SD 22.92 vs mean 142.21, SD 26.36; P<.001) and self-management (mean 54.16, SD 6.71 vs mean 47.58, SD 6.42; P=.001). Kidney Disease Quality of Life scores were also higher in the intervention group (mean 293.16, SD 34.21 vs mean 276.37, SD 32.21; P=.02). The number of steps per day increased in the intervention group (9768.56 in week 1 and 11,389.12 in week 12). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group (mean 72.47, SD 24.28 vs mean 59.69, SD 22.25 mL/min/1.73m2; P=.03) and the decline in eGFR was significantly slower in the intervention group (–0.56 vs –4.58 mL/min/1.73m2). There were no differences in body composition between groups postintervention. Conclusions The use of wearable devices, a health management platform, and social media support not only strengthened self-efficacy and self-management but also improved quality of life and a slower eGFR decline in people with CKD at stages 1-4. These results outline a new self-management model to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors for patients with CKD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04617431; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04617431

UNSTRUCTURED Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health burden. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable devices and a health management platform, and to establish a self-management model in CKD patients. Methods: This was a 90-day prospective experimental study. Sixty CKD stage 1-4 patients were enrolled, including the intervention group (n=30) and the control group (n= 30). All participants were provided with wearable devices and the exercise-related data were collected using the wearable devices. Both groups recorded their dietary diary using a smart phone application. All the information was uploaded to a health management platform and suggestions about diet and exercise were only made to the intervention group. A LINE group was created to inspire participants in the intervention group. The scores of the self-efficacy and self-management questionnaires, the Kidney Disease Quality of Life score, body composition, and laboratory examinations before and after the intervention were compared. Results: A total of 49 participants completed the study (25 in the intervention group, 24 in the control group, and comprised 73.5% male, with a mean age of 51.22 years). The measured baseline characteristics of both groups were the same except the educational background. After the intervention, the scores of self-efficacy (171.28±22.92 vs. 142.21±26.36, p<0.001) and self-management (54.16±6.71 vs. 47.58±6.42, p=0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group. The score for the Kidney Disease Quality of Life was also higher in the intervention group (293.16±34.21 vs. 276.37±32.21, p=0.021). The steps per day increased in the intervention group (9768.56 during the 1st week, increasing to 11389.12 during the 12th week). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group (72.47±24.28 vs. 59.69±22.25 mL/min/1.73m2, p = 0.025). The decline in eGFR was significantly slower in the intervention group (-0.56 vs. -4.58 mL/min/1.73m2). There were no differences in body composition between both groups at the end of study. Conclusions: The application of wearable devices and a health management platform not only strengthened self-efficacy and self-management, but improved life quality and slowed down eGFR decline in patients with CKD stage 1-4. These results provide a self-management model and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in CKD patients.