Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) has been continuously developed to support the HIV care continuum for people living with HIV. Considering the practical needs and acceptability of digital health solutions, it is essential to explore effective content and diverse deli...

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Main Authors: Gwang Suk Kim, Layoung Kim, Seoyoung Baek, Sooyoung Kwon, Ji Min Kim, Jun Yong Choi, Jae-Phil Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-05-01
Series:JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Online Access:https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e60905
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author Gwang Suk Kim
Layoung Kim
Seoyoung Baek
Sooyoung Kwon
Ji Min Kim
Jun Yong Choi
Jae-Phil Choi
author_facet Gwang Suk Kim
Layoung Kim
Seoyoung Baek
Sooyoung Kwon
Ji Min Kim
Jun Yong Choi
Jae-Phil Choi
author_sort Gwang Suk Kim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) has been continuously developed to support the HIV care continuum for people living with HIV. Considering the practical needs and acceptability of digital health solutions, it is essential to explore effective content and diverse delivery methods for self-management support. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 2 non–face-to-face mHealth interventions for people living with HIV. We compared the impact on HIV self-management of (1) a link group, which received access to information via mobile link, and (2) an app group, which used a mobile app enabling information exploration and self-recording of health outcomes, including medication adherence, symptoms, mental health score, and sexual safety. MethodsA 2-arm, prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted, involving 83 people living with HIV aged 19 years or older, who were assigned to the app group (n=42) or link group (n=41). The primary outcome was self-reported self-efficacy for HIV management (HIV-SE), which comprised 6 domains: managing depression or mood, medication, symptoms, and fatigue; communicating with health care providers; and getting support or help. A paired t ResultsBoth groups demonstrated improvements in total HIV-SE scores at 4 weeks compared with baseline. All domain scores improved in the app group, with a significant increase in total HIV-SE and managing fatigue. The link group significantly improved in managing depression or mood, fatigue, and getting support or help domains. The generalized estimating equation analysis indicated that, compared with the link group, the app group had significant group-by-time interaction with a positive effect on managing symptoms at 4 weeks (β=0.635, 95% CI 0.023 to 1.247; PP ConclusionsBoth types of informational mHealth interventions, through mobile apps or link access, contributed to improving HIV-SE. Delivering information via direct text message links could be suitable for individuals who are hesitant to use HIV-related apps. While mobile apps promote self-monitoring and symptom management through self-recording and reflection, strategies are needed to sustain long-term app engagement. In addition, user-customized psychiatric content beyond mental health recordings has been suggested for managing depressed moods in mHealth interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-aab230f57daf4525b4e6432d3227fd082025-08-20T02:32:08ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR mHealth and uHealth2291-52222025-05-0113e60905e6090510.2196/60905Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical TrialGwang Suk Kimhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-6107Layoung Kimhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6772-5979Seoyoung Baekhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0556-9936Sooyoung Kwonhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-5544-4456Ji Min Kimhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-1167-900XJun Yong Choihttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-2775-3315Jae-Phil Choihttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-4805-7930 Abstract BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) has been continuously developed to support the HIV care continuum for people living with HIV. Considering the practical needs and acceptability of digital health solutions, it is essential to explore effective content and diverse delivery methods for self-management support. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 2 non–face-to-face mHealth interventions for people living with HIV. We compared the impact on HIV self-management of (1) a link group, which received access to information via mobile link, and (2) an app group, which used a mobile app enabling information exploration and self-recording of health outcomes, including medication adherence, symptoms, mental health score, and sexual safety. MethodsA 2-arm, prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted, involving 83 people living with HIV aged 19 years or older, who were assigned to the app group (n=42) or link group (n=41). The primary outcome was self-reported self-efficacy for HIV management (HIV-SE), which comprised 6 domains: managing depression or mood, medication, symptoms, and fatigue; communicating with health care providers; and getting support or help. A paired t ResultsBoth groups demonstrated improvements in total HIV-SE scores at 4 weeks compared with baseline. All domain scores improved in the app group, with a significant increase in total HIV-SE and managing fatigue. The link group significantly improved in managing depression or mood, fatigue, and getting support or help domains. The generalized estimating equation analysis indicated that, compared with the link group, the app group had significant group-by-time interaction with a positive effect on managing symptoms at 4 weeks (β=0.635, 95% CI 0.023 to 1.247; PP ConclusionsBoth types of informational mHealth interventions, through mobile apps or link access, contributed to improving HIV-SE. Delivering information via direct text message links could be suitable for individuals who are hesitant to use HIV-related apps. While mobile apps promote self-monitoring and symptom management through self-recording and reflection, strategies are needed to sustain long-term app engagement. In addition, user-customized psychiatric content beyond mental health recordings has been suggested for managing depressed moods in mHealth interventions.https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e60905
spellingShingle Gwang Suk Kim
Layoung Kim
Seoyoung Baek
Sooyoung Kwon
Ji Min Kim
Jun Yong Choi
Jae-Phil Choi
Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
JMIR mHealth and uHealth
title Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
title_full Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
title_fullStr Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
title_full_unstemmed Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
title_short Providing 2 Types of mHealth Interventions to Support Self-Management Among People Living With HIV: Randomized Clinical Trial
title_sort providing 2 types of mhealth interventions to support self management among people living with hiv randomized clinical trial
url https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e60905
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