What the study found
The study found preliminary signs that nurse-led peer support may improve some decision-related outcomes for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) considering fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT, a treatment that uses donated stool microbes). The peer support group had higher FMT-related knowledge, stronger predisposition toward FMT, higher decision-making self-efficacy, and lower decisional conflict than the control group.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the study provides a basis for future larger-scale research and supports the feasibility of a structured nurse-led peer support protocol. They also suggest the findings should be interpreted cautiously because this was a small pilot study in a single cultural context.
What the researchers tested
This was a prospective, two-arm pilot study carried out from September 2023 to April 2024 in urology outpatient departments at two tertiary hospitals in China. Patients with rUTIs were assigned to either a peer support group or a control group, and the intervention consisted of weekly WeChat-based interactions with trained peer supporters for four weeks.
What worked and what didn't
Compared with the control group, the peer support group showed better FMT-related knowledge, stronger choice predisposition toward FMT, higher decision-making self-efficacy, and lower decisional conflict after the intervention. No significant between-group differences were found for preparation for decision making, decisional satisfaction, anxiety, or depression.
What to keep in mind
The available summary describes a small sample of 24 patients, convenience sampling, and a single cultural setting. The authors note that larger studies are needed to confirm the findings and to see whether the improvements last or affect actual treatment decisions and long-term decisional satisfaction.
Key points
- A nurse-led peer support program was linked to better decision-related measures for FMT in rUTI.
- The peer support group showed higher knowledge, self-efficacy, and FMT preference, and lower decisional conflict.
- No significant differences were seen for decisional satisfaction, anxiety, or depression.
- The study used weekly WeChat-based peer interactions for four weeks.
- The authors describe the findings as preliminary and call for larger studies.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Peer support showed preliminary benefit for FMT decision-making in rUTI
- Authors:
- Hongyuan Liu, Junjie Zhi, Zhou Li, Siyu Fan, Na Zhang, Mingjing Liu, Runbin Xie, Weiguo Wang, Ninghan Feng, Yufan Wu, Z Y Xu, Fengping Liu
- Institutions:
- Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Kunshan, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Taihu Hospital
- Publication date:
- 2026-06-30
- OpenAlex record:
- View
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.