The effect of mobile application based genetic counseling on the psychosocial well-being of thalassemia patients and caregivers: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of mobile application based genetic counseling on the psychosocial well-being of thalassemia patients and caregivers. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 patients, divided equally between the intervention and control groups. Additionally, 192 caregivers were included, with an equal distribution of 96 in the two groups. The intervention group received mobile application based genetic counseling, while the control received standard routine care. Assessments of quality of life, satisfaction, depression, and anxiety were conducted at baseline (T0), one-month post-intervention (T1), and three months post-intervention (T2). Furthermore, data analysis was performed using the Generalized Estimation Equation Model (GEE) approach in SPSS version 25.0. Mobile application based genetic counseling had significant effects on various aspects of the well-being of thalassemia patients and caregivers. These effects include improvements in quality of life, patient satisfaction, reduction in depression, and alleviation of anxiety (p < 0.05). Mobile application based genetic counseling showed a significant effect in improving psychosocial well-being among patients and caregivers. The results obtained practical implications for the integration of genetic counseling interventions, particularly through the application of information technology such as Cyber Gen application.