Developing and Evaluating a Mobile Application Self-management Program for Patients with Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

This study aimed to develop a mobile application self-management program for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and evaluate its effectiveness. A nonequivalent experimental group pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted. The experimental group (n = 32) received the mobile application and education for 8 weeks. The control group (n = 32) received a booklet and education. Uncertainty, self-care competence, physical quality of life, mental quality of life, and physiological indicators (ejection fraction, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate) were assessed. Outcomes were analyzed using the independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of covariance, and ranked analysis of covariance. Physical and mental quality of life significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group. Physiological indicators were unchanged. The mobile application self-management program may be utilized as a nursing intervention to improve quality of life for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.