Effect of Mobile Application-Based Interventions on Lifestyle and Outcomes of Patients after Obesity Surgery

Abstract

Context: The use of the mobile application in the provision of health care services like patient education has the potential to change patients' behaviors and improve patients outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile application-based interventions on the lifestyle and outcomes of patients with obesity surgery. Methods: A quasi-experimental (one group pretest-posttest) design was utilized to conduct this study. The study was conducted in the obesity surgery department and outpatient clinic at El-Demerdash Hospital, affiliated to Ain Shams University hospitals. A purposive sample of 104 patients with obesity surgery was included in the study. Data collection tools included patients’ assessment records, lifestyle assessment questionnaires, medication adherence rating scale, perceived stress scale, and patients' outcome assessment questionnaires. WhatsApp mobile application was used as a mobile application to conduct the patient’s education. Results: The studied patients' mean age was 32.57±6.18; 75% were females, 92.3% had chronic diseases, and 53.8% of their body mass index (BMI) was between 40-<50 kg. A statistically significant difference was revealed in the lifestyle of patients with obesity surgery before and after mobile application interventions. In addition, there were statistically significant differences in the patients؛ quality of life after the intervention compared to before the intervention. Conclusion: Utilizing mobile applications to provide educational materials for patients with obesity surgery has a positive effect on improving lifestyle and outcomes of obesity surgery. The study recommended investing the mobile application based-interventions for all patients with obesity surgery. Regularly updating the content of educational materials help to improve lifestyle practices and clinical outcomes for those patients.