DIGI-PSYCH-IN-CKD: Digital Psychological Inoculation to Promote Self-Efficacy in People Living with Chronic Kidney Disease

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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 850 million people worldwide, and 12% of the population in Europe. CKD is an irreversible condition that progresses to end stage renal disease, often treated with dialysis. In Europe, 1 in 100 women and 1 in 75 men will need dialysis therapy at any point in their life. Dialysis therapy costs societies in Europe up to €80,000 per person per year. Effective treatment to prevent dialysis requires lifestyle intervention in addition to medical treatment to reduce CKD progression. Intensive coaching is highly effective in achieving lifestyle changes and improved medication adherence. However, there is a shortage of qualified healthcare professionals and it is expected to increase in the near future. To address this societal problem Binnovate Digital Health B.V. is developing RenalTracker, a digitally-delivered, multi-intervention program that trains people with CKD in self-management to help reduce CKD progression and delay dialysis. The program takes a modular approach and offers interventions based on a user’s needs. RenalTracker is based on scientific models for health behavior, behavior change, and learning. As RenalTracker is a digital therapeutic it is easily scalable to service a large number of people with CKD. Furthermore, the content can be adjusted to different languages and cultures with minimal effort. In order to increase motivation and self-efficacy in people living with CKD, RenalTracker uses motivational interviewing with a health coach. We are looking to add digital psychological inoculation -a form of cognitive behavioral therapy- to support the motivational interviewing and increase the overall effectiveness of RenalTracker in achieving lasting healthy behavior.