Endstage Renal DiseaseNCT02970201
Improving Adherence in Renal Dialysis Patients Through Electronic Interventions
A study testing EpxDialysis in people with Endstage Renal Disease, run by Washington University School of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Dialysis treatment non-adherence is a prevalent problem among the end-stage renal population receiving chronic hemodialysis. The complications associated with missed or shortened dialysis sessions are serious and frequently require emergent medical care or hospitalization. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Endstage Renal Disease
- What is being tested?
- EpxDialysis
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Feb 2015to 1 Dec 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- All potential subjects are between 18 and 75 years of age, and have been receiving hemodialysis treatments, scheduled for 3 sessions/week, for at least 8 weeks at the Chromalloy American Kidney Center or Washington University Dialysis Center.
- The individuals will be prospectively identified as whether they have a history of occasional non-attendance to dialysis treatments, defined as 2-3 missed appointments in the preceding 8 week period or 24 scheduled sessions. These subjects will be enrolled as part of one cohort. Individuals who have frequent non-attendance, defined as 4-6 missed appointments in the preceding 8 week period or 24 scheduled sessions, will be enrolled as a second cohort.
- Subjects must be able to provide a phone number at which they can either receive SMS text messages and/or phone calls. The cost of messages will be paid for by the sender. Subjects must be able and willing to provide consent and authorize access of their medical record and dialysis clinic record for study use.
Who cannot join
- Persons not receiving ongoing hemodialysis treatments or new patients with less than 8 weeks of treatments at the dialysis center.
- Persons not intended to receive 3 dialysis treatments/week for the next 8 weeks.
- Pregnant individuals.
- Persons unable to be contacted by phone call or SMS text message, or unwilling to provide their contact number.
- Persons unwilling to consent and follow the assigned regimen and complete the required follow up.
- Persons with severe neurological or cognitive disorders, limiting their ability to provide consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Washington University School of Medicine - Barnes Jewish Hospital
St Louis, Missouri, 63110
About this study
Official title: Improving Adherence in Renal Dialysis Patients; a Randomized Crossover Trial for an Electronic Intervention
Dialysis treatment non-adherence is a prevalent problem among the end-stage renal population receiving chronic hemodialysis. The complications associated with missed or shortened dialysis sessions are serious and frequently require emergent medical care or hospitalization. Previous studies have shown that electronic messages have significantly improved attendance rates in a primary care setting, but these messages have not been validated in the chronic dialysis population.
An electronic intervention has been developed by Epharmix, a WUSTL IDEA Labs (ideas.wustl.edu) team, which has the capacity to use automated SMS text messages and/or phone calls to notify patients prior to each upcoming appointment, as well as alert a designated patient advocate. Patients receiving the messages are provided with key contact information for a dialysis rescheduling phone line, transportation resources, social work services, etc. They may also receive instructions on what to do if they are experiencing physical symptoms and need educational facts about dialysis. In particular, the intervention is designed to demonstrate to patients that the center cares and is concerned for their health and wellbeing. This intervention may potentially improve patient adherence to their scheduled sessions, increase patient satisfaction with their treatment, and prevent medical complications associated with missed dialysis appointments.
Read more
This study aims to determine whether an electronic intervention, which sends SMS text messages or phone calls of key dialysis treatment information, is able to improve dialysis treatment session attendance among dialysis patients with a history of poor attendance. We secondarily aim to identify the factors that may be barriers to dialysis treatment session attendance and the emergency department or hospital utilization associated with missed dialysis treatments.
Patients will be prospectively identified, recruited, and randomized into two groups. Group A will receive the electronic intervention prior to their appointments; Group B will not receive any electronic intervention. After 8 weeks, crossover will occur for both groups and the study will continue for an additional 8 weeks. Participants' clinic records will be reviewed to determine the numbers of missed and attended appointments, as well as records of ED visits and hospital admissions. Subjects will be asked to complete a post-study satisfaction questionnaire.
Read the detailed description
Dialysis treatment non-adherence is a prevalent problem among the end-stage renal population receiving chronic hemodialysis. The complications associated with missed or shortened dialysis sessions are serious and frequently require emergent medical care or hospitalization. Previous studies have shown that electronic messages have significantly improved attendance rates in a primary care setting, but have not been validated in the chronic dialysis population.
An electronic intervention has been developed by Epharmix, a WUSTL IDEA Labs (ideas.wustl.edu) team, which has the capacity to use SMS text messaging to phone call recordings to notify patients prior to each of their upcoming appointment times, with the option of also alerting a designated patient advocate. Patients receiving the messages are provided with key contact information for a dialysis rescheduling phone line, transportation resources, social work services, etc. This intervention may potentially improve patient adherence with scheduled sessions, increase patient satisfaction with their treatment and prevent medical complications associated with missing dialysis.
This study aims to determine whether an electronic intervention, which sends SMS text messages or phone calls of key dialysis treatment information, is able to improve dialysis session attendance among patients with a history of poor attendance. Our secondary aim is to identify factors that may be barriers to dialysis appointment attendance and are associated with emergency department (ED) or hospital utilization.
Procedures: Dialysis patients of the Chromalloy American Kidney Center (CAKC) at Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJH) and the Washington University Dialysis Center (WUDC) will be included in this study. Two cohorts will be prospectively identified, one group consisting of individuals with a history of occasional non-attendance to treatment sessions, defined as 2-3 missed sessions out of 24 consecutive sessions in the past 8 weeks; the other group consisting of individuals who are frequently non-adherent (4-6 missed sessions in the past 24 consecutive sessions). Patients from each cohort will be recruited and then randomized to either the experimental or the control group. Group A will receive the electronic intervention featuring automated SMS text message and/or phone call prior to their appointments; Group B will not receive any electronic intervention. After 8 weeks, crossover will occur for both groups and the study will continue for an additional 8 weeks.
At time of enrollment, all subjects will be asked to complete a questionnaire to determine the demographic characteristics of the study population of interest and identify possible socio-economic factors contributing to non-adherence to the prescribed 3 times weekly dialysis schedule. The participants' clinic records will be reviewed to determine the numbers of missed and attended appointments, as well as records of ED visits and hospital admissions through BJH. Subjects will be asked to complete a post-questionnaire to rate their satisfaction with their current schedule of dialysis and their satisfaction with the electronic intervention.
- Conditions
- Endstage Renal Disease
- Being tested
- EpxDialysis
- Keywords
- eHealth, mHealth, Hemodialysis, Adherence, Electronic intervention, ESRD, Nephrology
- Medical subject headings
- Kidney Failure, Chronic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EpxDialysisOther
The EpxDialysis intervention consists of automated SMS text or voice messages delivered to the patient's preferred phone number three times per week. These messages provide details about the subject's upcoming hemodialysis session, anticipatory guidance regarding clinically-concerning symptoms, as well as the option for direct call routing to the dialysis center for rescheduling sessions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Period I EpxDialysis (SMS Messaging) | Other | SMS Messaging arm receives the intervention (EpxDialysis) first, then resumes standard of care at crossover (8 weeks). Receives: Other: EpxDialysis |
| Period II EpxDialysis (Control) | Other | Control arm receives standard of care first, then receives the intervention (EpxDialysis) at crossover. Receives: Other: EpxDialysis |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dialysis appointment attendance
The primary objective of this prospective randomized control study is to assess the effects of an electronic intervention, which sends automated SMS text messages or pre-recorded phone messages, on attendance rate to dialysis sessions among non-adherent dialysis patients.
Measured: 16 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Hospitalization
Compare the number of emergency department visits and hospitalizations between groups during intervention and control phases
Measured: 16 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Nov 2016 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2015
- Primary completionJun 2015
- Study completion1 Dec 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Endstage Renal DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Washington University School of MedicineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Will R Ross, Washington University School of Medicine
- Investigators
- Will R Ross, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, Washington University School of Medicine
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02970201
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 201412068
- Status last verified
- May 2018
- First submitted
- 17 Nov 2016
- Last updated
- 11 May 2018
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
U.S. Renal Data System Annual Data Report. Chapter 1: Incidence, prevalence, patient characteristics and modality. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD https://www.usrds.org/2015/view/v2_01.aspx (2015)
Lamping, D. L. & Campbell, K. A. Hemodialysis Compliance: Assessment, Prediction, and Intervention: Part I. Seminars in dialysis 3, 52-56 (1990).
Sherman RA, Cody RP, Matera JJ, Rogers ME, Solanchick JC. Deficiencies in delivered hemodialysis therapy due to missed and shortened treatments. Am J Kidney Dis. 1994 Dec;24(6):921-3. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(12)81061-4.
PubMed 7985669Lamping, D. L. & Campbell, K. A. Hemodialysis Compliance: Assessment, Prediction, and Intervention: Part II. Seminars in dialysis 3, (1990).
Cummings KM, Becker MH, Kirscht JP, Levin NW. Intervention strategies to improve compliance with medical regimens by ambulatory hemodialysis patients. J Behav Med. 1981 Mar;4(1):111-27. doi: 10.1007/BF00844851.
PubMed 7288877Parikh A, Gupta K, Wilson AC, Fields K, Cosgrove NM, Kostis JB. The effectiveness of outpatient appointment reminder systems in reducing no-show rates. Am J Med. 2010 Jun;123(6):542-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.11.022.
PubMed 20569761Junod Perron N, Dao MD, Righini NC, Humair JP, Broers B, Narring F, Haller DM, Gaspoz JM. Text-messaging versus telephone reminders to reduce missed appointments in an academic primary care clinic: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Health Serv Res. 2013 Apr 4;13:125. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-125.
PubMed 23557331Bame SI, Petersen N, Wray NP. Variation in hemodialysis patient compliance according to demographic characteristics. Soc Sci Med. 1993 Oct;37(8):1035-43. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(93)90438-a.
PubMed 8235736
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 May 2018. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Improving Adherence in Renal Dialysis Patients; a Randomized Crossover Trial for an Electronic Intervention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02970201
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 201412068
- Conditions
- Endstage Renal Disease
- Keywords
- eHealth, mHealth, Hemodialysis, Adherence, Electronic intervention, ESRD, Nephrology
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Washington University School of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2015
- Primary completion
- Jun 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Nov 2016 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dialysis treatment non-adherence is a prevalent problem among the end-stage renal population receiving chronic hemodialysis. The complications associated with missed or shortened dialysis sessions are serious and frequently require emergent medical care or hospitalization. Previous studies have shown that electronic messages have significantly improved attendance rates in a primary care setting, but these messages have not been validated in the chronic dialysis population.
An electronic intervention has been developed by Epharmix, a WUSTL IDEA Labs (ideas.wustl.edu) team, which has the capacity to use automated SMS text messages and/or phone calls to notify patients prior to each upcoming appointment, as well as alert a designated patient advocate. Patients receiving the messages are provided with key contact information for a dialysis rescheduling phone line, transportation resources, social work services, etc. They may also receive instructions on what to do if they are experiencing physical symptoms and need educational facts about dialysis. In particular, the intervention is designed to demonstrate to patients that the center cares and is concerned for their health and wellbeing. This intervention may potentially improve patient adherence to their scheduled sessions, increase patient satisfaction with their treatment, and prevent medical complications associated with missed dialysis appointments.
This study aims to determine whether an electronic intervention, which sends SMS text messages or phone calls of key dialysis treatment information, is able to improve dialysis treatment session attendance among dialysis patients with a history of poor attendance. We secondarily aim to identify the factors that may be barriers to dialysis treatment session attendance and the emergency department or hospital utilization associated with missed dialysis treatments.
Patients will be prospectively identified, recruited, and randomized into two groups. Group A will receive the electronic intervention prior to their appointments; Group B will not receive any electronic intervention. After 8 weeks, crossover will occur for both groups and the study will continue for an additional 8 weeks. Participants' clinic records will be reviewed to determine the numbers of missed and attended appointments, as well as records of ED visits and hospital admissions. Subjects will be asked to complete a post-study satisfaction questionnaire.
Detailed description
Dialysis treatment non-adherence is a prevalent problem among the end-stage renal population receiving chronic hemodialysis. The complications associated with missed or shortened dialysis sessions are serious and frequently require emergent medical care or hospitalization. Previous studies have shown that electronic messages have significantly improved attendance rates in a primary care setting, but have not been validated in the chronic dialysis population.
An electronic intervention has been developed by Epharmix, a WUSTL IDEA Labs (ideas.wustl.edu) team, which has the capacity to use SMS text messaging to phone call recordings to notify patients prior to each of their upcoming appointment times, with the option of also alerting a designated patient advocate. Patients receiving the messages are provided with key contact information for a dialysis rescheduling phone line, transportation resources, social work services, etc. This intervention may potentially improve patient adherence with scheduled sessions, increase patient satisfaction with their treatment and prevent medical complications associated with missing dialysis.
This study aims to determine whether an electronic intervention, which sends SMS text messages or phone calls of key dialysis treatment information, is able to improve dialysis session attendance among patients with a history of poor attendance. Our secondary aim is to identify factors that may be barriers to dialysis appointment attendance and are associated with emergency department (ED) or hospital utilization.
Procedures: Dialysis patients of the Chromalloy American Kidney Center (CAKC) at Barnes Jewish Hospital (BJH) and the Washington University Dialysis Center (WUDC) will be included in this study. Two cohorts will be prospectively identified, one group consisting of individuals with a history of occasional non-attendance to treatment sessions, defined as 2-3 missed sessions out of 24 consecutive sessions in the past 8 weeks; the other group consisting of individuals who are frequently non-adherent (4-6 missed sessions in the past 24 consecutive sessions). Patients from each cohort will be recruited and then randomized to either the experimental or the control group. Group A will receive the electronic intervention featuring automated SMS text message and/or phone call prior to their appointments; Group B will not receive any electronic intervention. After 8 weeks, crossover will occur for both groups and the study will continue for an additional 8 weeks.
At time of enrollment, all subjects will be asked to complete a questionnaire to determine the demographic characteristics of the study population of interest and identify possible socio-economic factors contributing to non-adherence to the prescribed 3 times weekly dialysis schedule. The participants' clinic records will be reviewed to determine the numbers of missed and attended appointments, as well as records of ED visits and hospital admissions through BJH. Subjects will be asked to complete a post-questionnaire to rate their satisfaction with their current schedule of dialysis and their satisfaction with the electronic intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Period I EpxDialysis (SMS Messaging) | Other | Other: EpxDialysisSMS Messaging arm receives the intervention (EpxDialysis) first, then resumes standard of care at crossover (8 weeks). |
| Period II EpxDialysis (Control) | Other | Other: EpxDialysisControl arm receives standard of care first, then receives the intervention (EpxDialysis) at crossover. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- All potential subjects are between 18 and 75 years of age, and have been receiving hemodialysis treatments, scheduled for 3 sessions/week, for at least 8 weeks at the Chromalloy American Kidney Center or Washington University Dialysis Center.
- The individuals will be prospectively identified as whether they have a history of occasional non-attendance to dialysis treatments, defined as 2-3 missed appointments in the preceding 8 week period or 24 scheduled sessions. These subjects will be enrolled as part of one cohort. Individuals who have frequent non-attendance, defined as 4-6 missed appointments in the preceding 8 week period or 24 scheduled sessions, will be enrolled as a second cohort.
- Subjects must be able to provide a phone number at which they can either receive SMS text messages and/or phone calls. The cost of messages will be paid for by the sender. Subjects must be able and willing to provide consent and authorize access of their medical record and dialysis clinic record for study use.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Persons not receiving ongoing hemodialysis treatments or new patients with less than 8 weeks of treatments at the dialysis center.
- Persons not intended to receive 3 dialysis treatments/week for the next 8 weeks.
- Pregnant individuals.
- Persons unable to be contacted by phone call or SMS text message, or unwilling to provide their contact number.
- Persons unwilling to consent and follow the assigned regimen and complete the required follow up.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EpxDialysisThe EpxDialysis intervention consists of automated SMS text or voice messages delivered to the patient's preferred phone number three times per week. These messages provide details about the subject's upcoming hemodialysis session, anticipatory guidance regarding clinically-concerning symptoms, as well as the option for direct call routing to the dialysis center for rescheduling sessions. | Other | Period I EpxDialysis (SMS Messaging), Period II EpxDialysis (Control) |
Primary outcome
Dialysis appointment attendance
Time frame: 16 weeks
The primary objective of this prospective randomized control study is to assess the effects of an electronic intervention, which sends automated SMS text messages or pre-recorded phone messages, on attendance rate to dialysis sessions among non-adherent dialysis patients.
1 secondary outcome
Hospitalization
Time frame: 16 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 May 2018.
- BackgroundU.S. Renal Data System Annual Data Report. Chapter 1: Incidence, prevalence, patient characteristics and modality. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD https://www.usrds.org/2015/view/v2_01.aspx (2015)
- BackgroundLamping, D. L. & Campbell, K. A. Hemodialysis Compliance: Assessment, Prediction, and Intervention: Part I. Seminars in dialysis 3, 52-56 (1990).
- Background: PubMed 7985669Sherman RA, Cody RP, Matera JJ, Rogers ME, Solanchick JC. Deficiencies in delivered hemodialysis therapy due to missed and shortened treatments. Am J Kidney Dis. 1994 Dec;24(6):921-3. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(12)81061-4.
- BackgroundLamping, D. L. & Campbell, K. A. Hemodialysis Compliance: Assessment, Prediction, and Intervention: Part II. Seminars in dialysis 3, (1990).
- Background: PubMed 7288877Cummings KM, Becker MH, Kirscht JP, Levin NW. Intervention strategies to improve compliance with medical regimens by ambulatory hemodialysis patients. J Behav Med. 1981 Mar;4(1):111-27. doi: 10.1007/BF00844851.
- Background: PubMed 20569761Parikh A, Gupta K, Wilson AC, Fields K, Cosgrove NM, Kostis JB. The effectiveness of outpatient appointment reminder systems in reducing no-show rates. Am J Med. 2010 Jun;123(6):542-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.11.022.
- Background: PubMed 23557331Junod Perron N, Dao MD, Righini NC, Humair JP, Broers B, Narring F, Haller DM, Gaspoz JM. Text-messaging versus telephone reminders to reduce missed appointments in an academic primary care clinic: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Health Serv Res. 2013 Apr 4;13:125. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-125.
- Background: PubMed 8235736Bame SI, Petersen N, Wray NP. Variation in hemodialysis patient compliance according to demographic characteristics. Soc Sci Med. 1993 Oct;37(8):1035-43. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(93)90438-a.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Will R Ross, MD, MPH principal investigator
Washington University School of Medicine
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing EpxDialysis in people with Endstage Renal Disease, run by Washington University School of Medicine at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Dialysis appointment attendance (time frame: 16 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02970201, which also lists 8 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2018.