Effects of a transtheoretical model-based WeChat health education programme on self-management among haemodialysis patients: A longitudinal experimental intervention study

Aim: To examine the effects of a transtheoretical model-based WeChat health education programme on self-management in haemodialysis patients in China. Design: A longitudinal experimental intervention study. Methods: Patients (N = 120) who underwent haemodialysis from December 2015–November 2017 were recruited and randomly allocated to either group 1 (who received a 3-month WeChat health education immediately after randomization) or group 2 (who was combined with group 1 and received the same intervention at the 5th month after enrolment in the study). Self-management, knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed at baseline (T₀), 3 months after enrolment in the study (T₁), 21 months after enrolment in the study (T₂). Results: There were significant group effects on self-efficacy; time effects on partnership, self-care, emotion management with total self-management; interaction effects on problem-solving and emotion management within total self-management according to the two-way repeated measures ANCOVA. Further between-group comparisons indicated that patients in group 1 had better self-management than those in group 2 at T₁. Within-group comparisons demonstrated that, compared with the baseline values, group 1 had significantly improved self-management at T₁; however, group 2 had improved self-management at T₂. Conclusion: The transtheoretical model-based WeChat health education programme had a potentially positive effect on improving the self-management of haemodialysis patients. Impact: Self-management is often difficult yet crucial for haemodialysis patients. This study indicated that the transtheoretical model-based WeChat health education resulted in improved self-management in haemodialysis patients and can be implemented in continuing care during the interdialysis period to improve self-management in patients. Trial registration: ChiCTR1800018172.