NCT01646099

Sun Protection of Kidney Transplant Recipients

Internet-Based Sun Protection Program for Kidney Transplantation Recipients

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 335 (actual)
• Sponsor: Northwestern University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is being done to evaluate the effectiveness of a Sun Protection Strategies internet-based program for kidney transplant recipients. Since the medication taken to preserve the kidney transplant puts kidney transplant recipients at increased risk of developing a sunburn as well a skin cancer, the program will help people learn how to practice effective sun protection for their condition.

Detailed description

Cognitive interviews about an internet-based sun protection strategies program will be performed with up to 45 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who have participated in past surveys. A second group of 150 KTRs will be asked to evaluate the internet-based module for the effectiveness of information. A third group of 12 KTRs will be asked to evaluate the internet-based module for usability. A fourth group of 160 KTRs will be asked to take part in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the fully developed internet-based sun protection strategies program. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at risk to develop skin cancer. Adequate sun protection after transplantation can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. In 2006, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) found that sun protection education delivery and content varied among transplantation centers. Clinicians rarely knew when to initiate education about skin cancer risks and prevention including timing and scope, and rarely demonstrated understanding of the importance of reminders for and repeated education of patients. (National Kidney Foundation 2006) The NKF supported standard, formal, well timed skin cancer prevention information and sending reminders to KTRs at the beginning of summer. Aims: 1. To explore culturally sensitive use of terms describing ethnic cultural perceptions of sun burning, pigment darkening after sun exposure and description of skin color by the amount of photoprotective pigment in the skin. 2. To pilot test the internet-based sun protection brochure with English speaking KTRs representing 3 ethnic groups: White, Black and Hispanic. 3. To explore understanding of the importance of sun protection and the KTRs' confidence in their being able to practice sun protection.

Conditions

• Unspecified Complication of Kidney Transplant
• Disorder Related to Renal Transplantation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Internet-based sun protection education	Prior to summer, KTRs who agree to participate will receive a text message with their access code to the Internet intervention to access from their homes on a personal device. After online completion of baseline assessments, participants will be randomized to receive the intervention or general skin care information (control). Following the initial use, the participants may revisit the Internet intervention on a personal device or at the doctor's office on a tablet PC. Over the next 6 weeks, sun protection text reminders will be sent to intervention KTRs' cell phones and they will respond that they read the message. Control participants will receive text messages about general skin care.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-11-01
• Primary completion: 2015-03-01
• Completion: 2015-03-01
• First posted: 2012-07-20
• Last updated: 2015-04-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States