The effectiveness of a transition programme based on the integrated theory of health behavior change in adolescents with chronic kidney disease: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND

To validate the effectiveness of the application of a transition programme for adolescents with chronic kidney disease based on the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change.

METHODS

This study was a quasi-experiment study. We included 76 adolescents with chronic kidney disease, and based on their willingness to undergo transition intervention, participants were assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received the transition intervention guided by the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, while the control group received standard care and education, remaining unaware of the intervention group's existence. The data of the intervention group were collected before and after the intervention. Because the total intervention lasted approximately 4 weeks, the data of the control group were collected at baseline (T0) and 1 month (T1). We chose transition readiness as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included medication adherence and self-efficacy.

RESULTS

At the final assessment (T1), the scores related to transition readiness, medication adherence, self-care self-efficacy, and adolescent exercise and eating behavior self-efficacy in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with those at T0, the scores of all the constructs in the intervention group increased at T1, and these differences were statistically significant. There was a weak positive correlation between participants' transition readiness and their medication adherence (r = 0.389, P < 0.01), self-care self-efficacy (r = 0.501, P < 0.01), exercise behavior self-efficacy (r = 0.237, P < 0.05), and eating behavior self-efficacy (r = 0.481, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the Integrated Theory of Health Behavior Change, the transition program for adolescents with chronic kidney disease significantly improved participants' transition readiness, self-care self-efficacy, and exercise and eating behavior self-efficacy. While the study's design limits definitive conclusions on the program's impact on medication adherence, the observed improvements suggest that potential benefits warrant further investigation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study obtained approval from the local institutional review board and was registered on https://www.chictr.org.cn (Clinical Trial Number: ChiCTR2300077149) prior to the enrollment of the first subject on October 31, 2023.