Smartphone app to help people with heart disease take medicines

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adult Omanis with heart and blood vessel disease, high blood pressure or high blood fats who take daily medicine. It tests a phone app and text reminders for taking medicine.

Age

18 years or older

Sex

All sexes

Disease stage

At least one cardiovascular disease: high blood pressure, ischaemic heart disease or high blood fats (hyperlipidemia).

Earlier treatment

Prescribed at least one medicine for at least one year.

Main reasons for not taking part

• Severe cognitive impairment
• Cannot give informed consent
• Cannot read
• No smartphone with iOS or Android

The registry criteria, word for word

What the trial wants to find out

This study aims to:

The 3 groups in the trial

• MED-AD applicationTreatment being tested

  MED-AD is a smartphone application that will use two strategies (pill reminders and educational notifications) to enhance medication adherence. Both methods have shown their effectiveness in independently improving medication adherence; however, combining two or more strategies maximizes the efficacy of improving adherence. In addition, this application will be unique as it allows the patient to engage with their self-management behaviors and get feedback about their performance. The research team will develop the smartphone application with an expert in the application development field. In addition, the research team will pilot the MED-AD application on the same population and modify it before implementation of the study. The application will be hosted on SQU's in-house data, which is hosted and managed by the Center for Information Systems.

  Treatment: smartphone application (MED-AD)

• Short Text-message RemindersExisting treatment, for comparison

  Participants will receive short text messages (SMS) to remind them to take medications as prescribed once daily. However, unlike the application reminders, the SMS will be general and not specify taking particular medicines. An example of the SMS message will be, "Remember to take your medicines for the day?" The research team will pilot the MED-AD application on the same population and modify it before implementing the study.

• Routine careNo study treatment, for comparison

  Participants will receive routine care that does not include text messages or reminders and education through an application. In primary health care centers, the current routine care for people with chronic disease consists of the physical attendance of patients to their pre-scheduled medical appointment. The medical appointment will be every three months for most regular and controlled cases. The health care provider will usually evaluate the patient's condition, including the disease progression and medication adherence, and compare that with clinical parameters and laboratory investigations. Medications will be prescribed for the next three months, but the dispensing will be monthly. Patients will come every month directly to the pharmacy for a medication refill. The pharmacist will check the time window for medication refills and dispense the prescribed medications for one month.