Effects of a digital repetitive dietary education intervention on dietary knowledge, dietary self-care behaviors, and physiological indicators among hemodialysis patients in rural Korea: a quasi-experimental study

Purpose: Digital-enhanced repetitive learning has been proposed as an effective strategy for improving dietary education among patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study examined the effects of a digital repetitive dietary education (DRDE) program on dietary knowledge, dietary self-care behaviors, and physiological indicators among hemodialysis patients residing in a rural area of South Korea. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group and repeated measures was conducted. A total of 40 hemodialysis patients were recruited from a hemodialysis unit in a rural area of Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, and assigned to either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The experimental group participated in an 8-session DRDE program, whereas the control group received usual care. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 with the independent t-test, chi-square test, and 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Participants in the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in dietary knowledge (F = 14.83, p = .001) and dietary self-care practice behaviors (F = 4.21, p = .048) compared with the control group. Significant improvements were also observed in selected physiological indicators, including interdialytic weight gain (F = 7.02, p = .012), serum potassium levels (F = 9.55, p = .004), and serum phosphorus levels (F = 4.62, p = .038). Conclusion: The DRDE program improved dietary knowledge, dietary self-care behaviors, and selected physiological outcomes among hemodialysis patients in rural areas. These findings suggest that the DRDE program is a practical and feasible nursing intervention for dietary management in rural hemodialysis settings with limited educational resources.