mHealth Person-centred Self-care Support for Homebound Older Adults: A Hybrid Effectiveness-implementation Study

September 8, 2025 updated by: Arkers, Wong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Empowering Homebound Older Adults in Self-care Using a Mobile Health-assisted, Person-centred Care Approach: A Hybrid Effectiveness-implementation Design

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the mobile health (mHealth)-assisted, person-centred care (PCC) self-care support programme for homebound older adults. The researcher will compare PCC approach to a conventional care provider-led model. Participants (n = 130) will receive the intervention of six bi-weekly WhatsApp video call sessions over three months with nurse case managers (NCMs).

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This hybrid effectiveness-implementation, cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluates a mHealth-assisted, PCC self-care support programme for homebound older adults in Hong Kong. Participants (n = 130) receive six bi-weekly WhatsApp video call sessions with NCMs over three months. The study compares a PCC-based approach with a conventional provider-led model. Effectiveness outcomes include self-efficacy, functional independence, and psychosocial well-being. Implementation is assessed using the RE-AIM framework. Findings will inform scalable, digital health interventions for aging populations, improving functional independence, self-care engagement, and healthcare accessibility for homebound older adults.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

130

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong, Hong Kong
        • Recruiting
        • Yan Oi Tong
        • Contact:
          • Ricky Liu, MSc
          • Phone Number: +85234003805

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 60 years or older;
  • Unable to leave home more than twice per week due to physical or functional health problems;
  • Own and have basic proficiency in using a smartphone;
  • Speak Cantonese;
  • Indicate sufficient cognitive ability; and
  • Be moderately frail or below.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to hear, see, or communicate effectively;
  • Be completely bed-bound; or
  • Reside in an area without stable internet coverage.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention Group
The intervention group emphasizes shared decision-making, goal-setting, and interdisciplinary support. The NCM will co-develop self-care plans with participants.
Behavioral: PCC-based mHealth-assisted self-care support intervention
Participants receive six bi-weekly WhatsApp video call sessions with a NCM over three months, using a person-centred care (PCC) approach.
Active Comparator: Control Group
The control group does not include shared decision-making or personalized goal-setting. Self-care plans will be developed solely by the nurse case manager (NCM).
Behavioral: Provider-led mHealth-assisted self-care support intervention
Participants receive six bi-weekly WhatsApp video call sessions with a NCM over three months, based on the conventional provider-led model.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in self-efficacy assessed using the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on self-efficacy.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in instrumental activities of daily living assessed using the Chinese version of the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on instrumental activities of daily living.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in quality of life assessed using the Chinese version of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on quality of life.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in psychological distress assessed using the Chinese version of 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on psychological distress.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in perceived loneliness assessed using the Chinese version of the UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on perceived loneliness.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in functional mobility assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Time in seconds.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in sedentary behaviour assessed using the Chinese version of the Sedentary Behaviour Questionnaire for Elderly
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean hours per day.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Change in frequency of healthcare utilization assessed using the self-reported healthcare utilization survey
Time Frame: At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Number of visits.
At baseline, 3 months post-intervention , and 6 months post-intervention.
Participant reach and recruitment success measured by recruitment records
Time Frame: At baseline.
Unit of Measure: Percentage of eligible enrollment.
At baseline.
Participant satisfaction with the intervention assessed using the Chinese version of four-dimension Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
Time Frame: At 3 months post-intervention and 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Mean score on satisfaction.
At 3 months post-intervention and 6 months post-intervention.
Service provider acceptability and adoption of person-centred care approach measured by focus group interview
Time Frame: At 3 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Thematic analysis of interview records.
At 3 months post-intervention.
Implementation fidelity and adherence to person-centred care principles measured by session recordings and fidelity checklist
Time Frame: Ongoing monitoring during intervention.
Unit of Measure: 1). Number and reasons for missed sessions; 2). Percentage of sessions meeting fidelity criteria.
Ongoing monitoring during intervention.
Long-term maintenance and retention of participants measured by cost-effectiveness analysis and retention and dropout records
Time Frame: At 6 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: 1). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per additional quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained; 2). Number and reasons of dropout.
At 6 months post-intervention.
Barriers and Facilitators to the intervention measured by focus group interview
Time Frame: At 3 months post-intervention.
Unit of Measure: Thematic analysis of interview records.
At 3 months post-intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Prof. Arkers Wong, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 10, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 10, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 14, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 17, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 8, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HSEARS20240718004

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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