Proposed Topic (Most preferred): :
Research and Innovations (new projects / technology / innovations / service models)
Proposed Topic (Second preferred): :
Clinical Safety and Quality Service III (Projects aiming at quality service to patients and their carers)
Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai A (1,2,3), Ip M (2,3), Chu PY (3), Lam PL (3), Choi SL (3), Sin LY (3), Chung WY (3), Mar KY (3), Lui M (2,3)
Affiliation :
(1) School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
(2) School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
(3) Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a widespread chronic disorder, places a significant burden on health systems with current treatments focusing on fragmented care and device dependency. Education programs for OSA often isolate CPAP adherence from lifestyle changes rather than integrating both. Emphasizing the WHO's advice, there's a need to empower patients for collaborative self-management, enhancing their ability to cope with chronic conditions.
Objectives :
This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary evidence of a 16-week one-group pilot trial of the smartphone-based sleep apnea self-management support programme (4S).
Methodology :
Despite the third wave of COVID-19, we recruited overweight subjects with moderate to severe sleep apnea to join a 16-week one-group pilot trial of the 4S in July 2020, immediately before all clinical recruitment was restricted. The content and format of our intervention were grounded on the feedback from the needs assessment survey of OSA subjects. The intervention included a 25-minute interview session and 16-week daily video messages co-designed by our multi-disciplinary team. We collect both quantitative and qualitative feedback from participants.
Result & Outcome :
Nine patients with OSA (mean age: 57.3 years; male: 78%; BMI: 31.69; severe sleep apnea: 66%) were recruited. They agreed that the content of the 4S program applied to real life (mean score 4.1 out of 5), enhanced OSA knowledge (4.7), improved exercise (4.3) and dietary (4.1) habits. Short (around 2 minutes) video messages were well-accepted with suitable duration (4.6) and contents (4.2). Increased self-efficacy in health self-management, did more physical activity, reduced body weight and less daytime sleepiness were reported. Qualitative findings correlated with the quantitative results.
With the findings from the pilot trial, an ongoing randomized controlled study supported by the Health Medical Research Fund is being conducted in two hospitals (Queen Mary Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital)
Smartphone-based self-management program is acceptable and feasible to provide patient-centered care and continuous support in OSA and co-morbidity management. Regular contact with patients via phone and messaging provides continuous support to patients in maintaining healthy behaviours and treatment adherence.
