Impact of a mobile APP-based education model on pediatric food allergy outpatient infusion therapy

This study evaluates the efficacy of an allergy management mobile application (APP) in enhancing outpatient infusion therapy for children with food allergies. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from the electronic medical records of pediatric patients who received outpatient infusion therapy between January and December 2023. Participants were categorized into 2 groups: the APP group (utilizing a hospital-developed allergy management APP) and the non-APP group. Outcome measures included daily crying frequency, duration of crying episodes, time to symptom relief, incidence of complications (mild and severe), and scores on the Disease Awareness and Caregiving Competency Scale for family members. Among the 126 enrolled cases (63 per group), the APP group showed better results than the non-APP group. Specifically, the APP group exhibited fewer daily crying episodes (P < .05), shorter crying duration (P < .05), faster symptom improvement (P < .05), and a lower overall complication rate (P < .05). Additionally, caregivers in the APP group achieved higher disease awareness scores and better performance in emotional regulation, role adaptation, lifestyle adjustment, and caregiving skills (all P < .05). Implementing an APP-based education model in outpatient infusion therapy for children with food allergies can accelerate symptom resolution, reduce complications and distress behaviors, and improve caregiver knowledge and competence. This approach offers a promising strategy to optimize clinical and psychosocial outcomes in this population.