SMART: Smart Phone Application to Improve Renal Transplants

Description: 

In this prospective cross-sectional pilot study of prevalent 18-34 year-old KTRs cared for at the University of Washington Transplant Program, we assessed the feasibility and potential efficacy in improving KTRs’ quality of life (QoL) over 3 months with TapCloud technology that integrates patient-reported information, medication reminders and a patient-provider communication link. This pilot study is sponsored by TapCloud LLC.

Results: 

Use of TapCloud was consistent across subgroups, with signs that early post-transplant recipients (<1 yr), younger KTRs (<29 yrs) and KTRs with high school or equivalent education may have used the app more than older, more educated KTRs and those further from transplant. Increased use and earlier post-transplant use were associated with improved physical measures of QoL via KTQ-25 survey (higher scores are better) from start to end of study.

Findings:

This pilot study provides valuable feasibility and patient-oriented data demonstrating mobile health technology may help improve kidney transplant recipients quality of life and clinical outcomes and requires further study.