Abstract P3118: Gender Differences In The Efficacy Of A Mobile-based Self-management Program For Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: This study was to develop a mobile application (App) program, presenting educational materials and giving interactive feed-backs on self-management for heart failure patients and to evaluate the gender differences in the efficacy of the program. Methods: We developed a mobile App program for heart failure patients’ self-management, which included comprehensive educational materials and daily record logs for the patients. Also, it took into account the mobile use characteristics and convenience of aged heart failure patients, as well as active and instant interactions and feedback via group chat among the patients and healthcare providers. Regarding the experimental study, we employed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of the program in 66 heart failure patients. The intervention group was guided to use the mobile App program in their daily life at home for 3 months. Results: Male patients in the experimental group exhibited significantly decreased waist circumference and improved NYHA functional class than the control group after 3 months. As for female patients in the experimental group, they showed significantly improved NYHA functional class, depressive symptoms, and quality of life than the control group after 3 months. Conclusion: This mobile App program showed effective improvements in heart failure patients' symptom classes for both men and women. Also, it showed that women had overall higher positive outcomes in psychosocial aspects, such as depressive symptoms and quality of life than men. Future study is needed to develop self-management programs considering gender differences and also to understand their effectiveness according to gender.