The effect of a mobile game application on knowledge and health-related beliefs in children with chronic kidney disease: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the short-term effects of a mobile game application developed for children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) on knowledge, health-related beliefs, attitudes, and clinical parameters.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 64 children with CKD (32 per group). A mobile game tailored for children aged 11-14 years was developed. Data were collected using a Data Collection Form, Clinical Parameters Follow-up Form, Information Form on Chronic Renal Failure, Healthy Lifestyle Belief Scale for Adolescents, and the Child's Attitude Toward His/Her Disease Scale.

RESULTS

Mean ages were 12.78 ± 1.21 and 12.65 ± 1.31 years in the experimental and control groups, with no significant demographic differences (p > 0.05). Children using the mobile game showed significantly higher knowledge, healthy lifestyle belief, and disease attitude scores at 1 and 3 months than controls (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found in blood pressure or pulse rate (p > 0.05). Initial differences in iron-binding capacity and potassium did not remain significant after correction. Usability was high (score: 276.18 ± 2.71/280).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention was associated with short-term improvements in knowledge, healthy lifestyle beliefs, and attitudes toward CKD; given the absence of an attention-matched control and confounding of modality with educational dosage, findings should be interpreted as association rather than established effectiveness. No significant effects were observed on clinical parameters. The internally developed knowledge instrument lacks formal factor-analytic or criterion validation.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses can support disease management in children with CKD by incorporating mobile game-based educational tools into routine care, recognizing that current evidence supports short-term educational benefit rather than established clinical effects.