Researchers looked at 34 studies involving over 2,000 kidney dialysis patients to understand how smartphone apps and mobile health tools can help patients manage their condition better. They found that apps work best when they help patients track their health numbers, manage their diet and fluids, and remember to take medications. The study shows that mobile health tools show real promise for improving how well dialysis patients feel and how well their treatment works, but there’s still room to make these apps even better with new technology like artificial intelligence.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How smartphone apps and mobile health tools help kidney dialysis patients manage their own care and stay healthier
  • Who participated: Over 2,000 kidney dialysis patients across 34 different research studies published between 2010 and 2025
  • Key finding: Mobile health apps appear to help dialysis patients manage their condition better, especially when apps focus on tracking health numbers, managing diet and fluid intake, and remembering medications. Most successful apps were single apps rather than complicated systems with multiple tools.
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one receives dialysis, using a smartphone app designed for kidney patients may help you stay on top of your care and feel better. However, these apps work best when combined with guidance from your healthcare team, and more research is needed to find the best ways to use them.

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers looked at many different studies to understand what’s known about a topic. They searched five major medical databases for studies published between January 2010 and October 2025 about how mobile health tools help dialysis patients. They only included studies that tested these tools with real patients and measured results with numbers (not just opinions). Out of 1,483 studies they found, they carefully selected 34 that met their requirements.

The researchers organized information from these 34 studies into a spreadsheet to see patterns. They looked at what types of apps were used, what theories guided the app development, and what health measurements doctors used to see if the apps actually worked. They also checked the quality of each study to make sure the results were trustworthy.

This approach is important because it gives doctors and app developers a clear picture of what’s already been tried and what actually works. Instead of looking at just one study, this method combines knowledge from many studies to show the bigger picture. This helps identify which types of apps are most helpful and what areas still need improvement.

The researchers used a recognized tool called the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to check how well each study was done. They only included studies with actual patient numbers and measurable results, not just opinions or theories. The fact that they searched five different medical databases and looked at studies over 15 years makes this review fairly comprehensive. However, since this is a scoping review rather than a strict analysis of study quality, readers should know that the included studies may have had varying levels of scientific rigor.

What the Results Show

The review found that dialysis patients need help managing six main areas of their care: watching their own health numbers, managing what they eat and drink, taking medications correctly, learning about their disease, exercising, and dealing with emotional stress. Most apps focused on just one of these areas rather than trying to do everything at once.

Most successful apps were single smartphone applications (22 out of 34 studies), while some used multiple online tools together (6 studies) or remote monitoring systems where doctors could watch patients’ numbers from a distance (3 studies). The apps that worked best focused on three main things: helping patients track their health numbers, managing diet and fluid intake, and remembering to take medications.

When measuring whether apps actually helped, doctors looked at specific blood test results like potassium levels, phosphorus levels, and protein levels. They also asked patients questions about whether they were following their treatment plan, whether they felt confident managing their care, how their quality of life was, and what they knew about their disease. Apps that used certain behavior-change theories—especially the idea that people go through stages of change—seemed to work better than apps without a clear plan.

The research showed that apps based on three main theories worked best: the transtheoretical model (which focuses on stages of change), self-efficacy theory (which is about believing you can do something), and social cognitive theory (which is about how people learn from others). Apps that included features to build patient confidence and help them believe they could manage their care seemed more effective. The study also found that measuring multiple health outcomes—both blood test numbers and patient feelings about their care—gave the best picture of whether an app was actually helping.

This review builds on earlier research showing that mobile health tools can help patients with chronic diseases. What’s new here is the focus specifically on dialysis patients and the detailed look at which types of apps and which theories work best. The finding that single-purpose apps work better than complicated multi-tool systems is practical guidance for future app developers. The emphasis on combining objective measurements (blood tests) with subjective measurements (how patients feel) reflects current best practices in evaluating patient care tools.

This review only looked at studies published in English, so some research from other countries may have been missed. The studies included varied quite a bit in how they were done and what they measured, making it hard to compare results directly. The review didn’t look at whether patients actually kept using the apps over time or whether they were affordable and accessible to all patients. Also, most studies were relatively small, so results might not apply to all dialysis patients everywhere. The review didn’t deeply examine whether certain types of patients (like older adults or those with other health problems) benefited more or less from these apps.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a dialysis patient, talk with your healthcare team about whether a mobile health app might help you manage your care better. Apps appear most helpful when they focus on tracking your health numbers, managing your diet and fluids, and remembering medications. Start with a simple app rather than trying to use multiple complicated tools at once. Use the app as a tool to support your care plan, not as a replacement for talking with your doctor. (Confidence level: Moderate—apps show promise, but more research is still needed.)

This research is most relevant for people receiving dialysis treatment, their family members, and their healthcare providers. App developers and hospital systems planning to use mobile health tools should pay attention to these findings. People with other chronic kidney diseases may also find some of these insights helpful, though the research specifically focused on dialysis patients. If you have difficulty using smartphones or don’t have reliable internet access, talk with your healthcare team about other options.

Most studies looked at results over weeks to months rather than years. You might start noticing improvements in how well you’re managing your care within a few weeks of using an app consistently. However, improvements in blood test numbers may take longer—usually several weeks to a few months. The key is using the app regularly and combining it with your doctor’s guidance.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your interdialytic weight gain (weight gained between dialysis sessions), serum potassium levels, and serum phosphorus levels weekly if your app allows. These are the three measurements doctors use most often to see if dialysis patients are managing their care well. Also track whether you took your medications as prescribed and stuck to your diet plan.
  • Start by using your app to log one meal per day and set a daily reminder for your medications. Once that becomes a habit (usually 2-3 weeks), add tracking your weight each morning. This gradual approach is more likely to stick than trying to track everything at once. Share your app data with your healthcare team at each appointment so they can see your progress.
  • Check your app data weekly to spot patterns—like weight gain on certain days or missed medications. Share monthly summaries with your doctor. If you notice your numbers getting worse, contact your healthcare team right away rather than waiting for your next appointment. Use the app’s educational features to learn more about your condition, which can help you stay motivated to follow your care plan.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you receive dialysis treatment or have kidney disease, consult with your nephrologist (kidney doctor) before starting any new app or changing your care routine. While mobile health apps show promise for helping manage dialysis care, they work best when used alongside regular medical supervision and treatment. Not all apps are equally effective, and your healthcare team can help you choose tools appropriate for your specific situation. This review summarizes research through October 2025, and new information may become available.