Assessing the acceptability and efficacy of teens taking charge: Transplant—A pilot randomized control trial

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescents who have undergone SOT are at heightened risk for graft failure. This pilot randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the feasibility and obtain preliminary estimates of efficacy of the online TTC program.MethodsTTC is a web‐based self‐management program for adolescent SOT patients. Participants—kidney or liver transplant candidates or recipients—were enrolled over a 2‐year period and randomized to either an intervention group that accessed TTC or a control group that did not access the program. Outcome measures included feasibility, how much the program was utilized, and pre‐ and post‐intervention health‐related outcomes evaluating self‐management, self‐efficacy, mood, use of healthcare services, and knowledge. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants post‐intervention.ResultsForty‐two participants were enrolled in the study. Participants in the intervention group expressed that they enjoyed learning about other teens’ experiences, but reported barriers to accessing the site, such as being too busy, computer being too slow, and not being able to access the site on their mobile device. Time spent using the website was low for the majority of participants. Patients less than 1‐year post‐transplant accessed TTC more than patients who had their transplant for longer. No significant differences were found for health‐related outcomes between groups.ConclusionsNo differences in health‐related outcomes were found between groups. Further studies that examine barriers to engagement with web‐based education tools are warranted.

Empowering patients to adhere to their treatment regimens: A multifaceted approach

“…Korus M et al conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to determine feasibility and obtain preliminary estimates of efficacy of an online Web‐based self‐management program for kidney and liver transplant candidates or recipients 35 . The study randomized subjects to a Web‐based program vs. standard of care.…”

A scoping review of pediatric transplant education

“…Eighteen articles describing 17 educational interventions were identified through the literature search. These studies were conducted in the United States (n = 11), 16,27,28,[30][31][32]35,36,40,41,43 Canada (n = 2), 38,42 Germany (n = 2), 34 and England (n = 1) 37 or multi-setting (United…”

“…The study design included randomized controlled trials (RCT) (n = 2), 29,33 pre-post design (n = 5), 16,28,30,31,35 feasibility, acceptability or usability (n = 2), 27,40 experimental design with a control group (n = 2), 32,34 descriptive assessments (n = 3), 37,41,43 and mixed method types (n = 4). 36,38,39,42 (Table 1).…”

“…One study described a pretransplant educational intervention, 27 and two were aimed at educating patients and their caregivers throughout the transplant process. 42,43 The target audience for most educational programs were both patients and their caregivers (n = 9) 16,28,29,31,32,37,38,40,41 however, some studies described interventions whose educacomponent was relevant to only caregivers/family members (n = 3), 27,36,43 , or patients (n = 6). 30,[33][34][35]39,42 Children and teenagers were the most frequently included patient populations.…”

Review and Evaluation of mHealth Apps in Solid Organ Transplantation: Past, Present, and Future

“…Korus et al 26 Randomized controlled trial Twelve-to 17-y-old kidney or liver transplant recipients Comprehensive online educational program, including interactive animations, on waitlist and posttransplant topics determined by a multidisciplinary team Forty-two patients enrolled. Patients enjoyed learning about other teen experiences but reported barriers to accessing the site because of being too busy, computer being too slow, and inability to access it on their mobile device.…”