Transplant surgery enters a new era: Increasing immunosuppressive medication adherence through mobile apps and smart watches

Abstract

The high rate of immunosuppressive medication non-adherence in transplant recipients demands the search for a solution that targets modifiable risk factors and incorporates mobile health technology to better engage and educate patients. Kidney transplant recipients (kidneys alone or multi-organ) were randomized to receive a mobile app known as Transplant Hero, both the app and a smart watch, or neither. The coefficient of variability (CV) of tacrolimus levels was measured at one and three months. No statistically significant differences in CV levels were observed between the three groups at either one or three months. Although mobile health apps are a promising strategy for increasing medication adherence, further research is required to determine how to best use this technology.

Keywords: Coefficient of variability; Mobile app; Transplant; mHealth.