ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO020

Can Automated Digital Counseling Enhance Mental Health in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure or Kidney Disease? The ODYSSEE-vCHAT Study

Session Information

Category: Augmented Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science

  • 300 Augmented Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science

Authors

  • Auguste, Bourne L., University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Montbriand, Janice, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Chan, Christopher T., University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Nolan, Robert, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Group or Team Name

  • ODYSEE-vCHAT Investigators.
Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. We evaluated the ODYSSEE-vCHAT automated digital counseling program, including social network support, to enhance mental health and quality of life in patients with CHF and CKD. The primary aim was to assess the effect of ODYSSEE-vCHAT on Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-36 health survey.

Methods

This 11-month, multicenter, open-label trial evaluated adults with CHF (reduced EF) or CKD (2-year KFRE≥ 10%), focusing on self-care skills (medication adherence, exercise, diet, smoke-free living) via a digital platform. The primary outcome was achieving a minimal clinically important difference in MCS (ΔMCS ≥ 3.8 or MCS ≥ 65).

Results

Of 215 enrolled participants, 174 completed the study, with a mean age of 54.4 years; 61% (n=106) had CKD. Significant improvements in MCS scores were noted for both CKD and CHF patients. However, no statistically significant changes were found in KDQOL or MCS scores for CKD patients alone, though small-to-moderate effect sizes were observed: Vitality (0.40, p=0.16), Emotional Well-Being (-0.11, p=0.70), Social Functioning (-0.37, p=0.19), Role Limitations (0.43, p=0.12), aggregate MCS (0.15, p=0.60), and KDQOL Subscale CKD Burden (0.36, p=0.12). These suggest meaningful small-to-moderate improvements (Fig 1). Participants experienced reduced CKD burden and enhanced quality of life.

Conclusion

The ODYSSEE-vCHAT program showed potential in enhancing mental health and quality of life among CKD patients, indicating value in digital health interventions in managing chronic diseases. These findings underscore the need for further trials to establish the efficacy of digital counseling in CKD patient care.

Figure 1. Change in KDQOL-CKD Burden Scale (End of Study – Baseline) by Program Engagement

Funding

  • Other NIH Support