Effect of a Mobile-Based Hydration Tracking Program on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors in Older Adults

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the impact of a mobile-friendly, web-based hydration tracking application (named "SIVI") on hydration-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in older adults. Inadequate fluid intake is a common and modifiable risk factor for dehydration in the elderly, leading to increased morbidity, hospitalizations, and functional decline. However, many older individuals forget to drink fluids or face barriers such as fear of incontinence, mobility limitations, or cognitive challenges.

This study will include 70 community-dwelling older adults aged 65-84 years, recruited from a Family Health Center. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group will use the SIVI application for two months. The app is specially designed for older adults and includes features such as personalized fluid goals, reminders, hydration education modules, feedback, and a user-friendly interface with large fonts and high contrast. Participants will log their daily fluid intake, receive motivational messages, and access videos and information about healthy hydration habits. A water bottle will be provided to standardize measurement across groups.

The control group will receive only routine care. Both groups will complete questionnaires measuring demographics, hydration knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and fluid consumption habits at baseline, one month, and two months.

Data collection will be conducted face-to-face by the researcher, and analysis will be performed using SPSS 22.0. Statistical tests will include descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk for normality, chi-square for categorical data, and t-tests and ANOVA for comparisons over time.

The results are expected to show that the SIVI application improves older adults' hydration knowledge, fosters positive attitudes, and promotes healthy fluid intake behaviors, thus supporting self-management of hydration and potentially reducing dehydration-related health risks.

Conditions

• Dehydration
• Older Adults (65 Years and Older)
• Hydration Status
• Self-management Behavior
• Mobile Application
• Web Based Intervention

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mobile-Compatible Web-Based Hydration Tracking Program

Intervention Description: The SIVI Hydration Application is a mobile-compatible, web-based behavioral intervention designed specifically for older adults. It supports self-monitoring and self-management of daily fluid intake through features such as personalized fluid goals, visual drink-logging with icons, daily reminders, progress graphics, educational videos, and motivational digital badges. The app was developed using gerotechnology and universal design principles to accommodate cognitive and sensory changes common in aging. Its unique focus on hydration behavior, combined with usability features like large fonts, high contrast, and voice-assisted guidance, distinguishes it from general health or diet tracking apps. Participants use the app for 8 weeks as part of a structured intervention with training and weekly follow-up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ezgi Atasoy

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Özlem KÜÇÜKGÜÇLÜ, Prof. · Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Nursing

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-10-01

Primary Completion

2026-01-01

Completion

2026-02-01