The feasibility of text reminders to improve medication adherence in adolescents with asthma. (11th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Kevin B; Patterson, Barron L; Ho, Yun-Xian; Chen, Qingxia; Nian, Hui; Davison, Coda L; Slagle, Jason; Mulvaney, Shelagh A
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Volume 23:Number 3(2016:May)
• Page Start: 449
• Page End: 455
• Publication Date: 2015-12-11
• Subjects: adherence -- biomedical informatics -- adolescent -- clinical trial -- asthma -- mHealth -- mobile technology -- personal health records; Medical informatics -- Periodicals; Information Services -- Periodicals; Medical Informatics -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Informatica; Geneeskunde; Informatique médicale; Computer network resources; Electronic journals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocv158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-5027

Abstract

Abstract : Objective Personal health applications have the potential to help patients with chronic disease by improving medication adherence, self-efficacy, and quality of life. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of MyMediHealth (MMH) – a website and a short messaging service (SMS)-based reminder system – on medication adherence and perceived self-efficacy in adolescents with asthma. Methods We conducted a block-randomized controlled study in academic pediatric outpatient settings. There were 98 adolescents enrolled. Subjects who were randomized to use MMH were asked to create a medication schedule and receive SMS reminders at designated medication administration times for 3 weeks. Control subjects received action lists as a part of their usual care. Primary outcome measures included MMH usage patterns and self-reports of system usability, medication adherence, asthma control, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Results Eighty-nine subjects completed the study, of whom 46 were randomized to the intervention arm. Compared to controls, we found improvements in self-reported medication adherence ( P = .011), quality of life ( P = .037), and self-efficacy ( P = .016). Subjects reported high satisfaction with MMH; however, the level of system usage varied widely, with lower use among African American patients. Conclusions MMH was associated with improved medication adherence, perceived quality of life, and self-efficacy. Trial Registration This project was registered under http://clinicaltrials.gov/ identifier NCT01730235.