User Acceptability and Technical Robustness Evaluation of a Novel Smart Pill Bottle Prototype Designed to Support...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Health Informatics
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Smart medication adherence monitoring devices offer objective drug utilization data.
• These technologies can enhance patient engagement in treatment regimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability and technical robustness of a novel smart pill bottle prototype (SPBP).
• To gather data for further optimization of the SPBP for clinical and research applications.

Main Methods:

• A proof-of-concept study involving ten volunteers using the app-controlled SPBP for 2 weeks.
• Data collected included dispense adherence, system usability (SUS), self-reported adherence (MARS), and sensor accuracy (temperature).

Main Results:

• The SPBP achieved an overall dispense adherence rate of 88%.
• Participants reported high system usability (mean SUS score 79.3) and good self-reported adherence (MARS 23.6/25).
• The bottle's temperature sensors demonstrated accuracy within -0.82°C of calibrated sensors.

Conclusions:

• The smart pill bottle prototype (SPBP) was well-accepted by users.
• Findings support further development and indicate potential for smart adherence technologies to transform medication management.