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A Spanish pillbox app for elderly patients taking multiple medications: randomized controlled trial
José Joaquín Mira1, Isabel Navarro, Federico Botella
1Sant Joan-Alicante Health District, Consellería Sanidad, Alicante, Spain.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|April 8, 2014
Summary
The ALICE app significantly improved medication adherence and reduced errors in elderly patients. Even those new to technology found the app effective for safer medication management.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Health Informatics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medication nonadherence and errors are prevalent in patients with complex drug regimens.
- Mobile health (mHealth) apps show promise for improving adherence but lack testing in elderly populations with chronic conditions.
- Elderly individuals often have limited experience with digital technologies, posing a challenge for app-based interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, implement, and evaluate the ALICE medication self-management app for elderly patients with multiple medications.
- To enhance medication adherence and promote safe medication practices among the elderly.
- To assess the usability and effectiveness of a tailored mHealth solution for a vulnerable demographic.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind randomized controlled trial (N=99) compared the ALICE app intervention group with a control group receiving standard information.
- The ALICE app featured personalized prescriptions, medication images, alerts, and reminders, developed with patient and professional input.
- Outcomes included adherence rates (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-4), missed doses, medication errors, and perceived independence, measured pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Experimental group showed significantly better adherence (MMAS-4 scores) and fewer missed doses compared to the control group.
- The ALICE app effectively reduced medication errors, particularly in patients with initially high error rates.
- A high percentage (88%) of users reported increased independence in medication management, with a mean satisfaction score of 8.5/10.
Conclusions:
- The ALICE app is effective in improving medication adherence, reducing missed doses and errors, and enhancing perceived independence in elderly patients.
- Elderly individuals, irrespective of prior technology experience, can successfully utilize the ALICE app for safer medication management.
- This study highlights the potential of user-centered mHealth technology to support medication self-management in older adults with complex health needs.
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