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. 2021 Feb 9;5(2):e12218.
doi: 10.2196/12218.

Effectiveness of Text Message Reminders on Adherence to Inhaled Therapy in Patients With Asthma: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Carlos Almonacid  1 , Carlos Melero  2 , Antolín López Viña  3 , Carolina Cisneros  4 , Luis Pérez de Llano  5 , Vicente Plaza  6 , Juan Luis García-Rivero  7 , Auxiliadora Romero Falcón  8 , Jacinto Ramos  9 , Teresa Bazús González  10 , María Andrés Prado  11 , Alfonso Muriel  12
Affiliations

Effectiveness of Text Message Reminders on Adherence to Inhaled Therapy in Patients With Asthma: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Carlos Almonacid et al. JMIR Form Res. .

Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to inhaled medication in asthma patients is of great concern. It is one of the main reasons for inadequate asthma control.

Objective: The goal of the research was to determine if motivational messages using short message service (SMS, or text) improved adherence to inhaled medication in patients with asthma.

Methods: A prospective multicenter randomized parallel-group clinical trial was conducted in 10 asthma clinics in Spain. Adherence was assessed with electronic monitors (Smartinhaler, Adherium Ltd) connected to inhalers. Patients in the SMS group received psychologist-developed motivational messages every 3 days for 6 months.

Results: There were 53 patients in the SMS group and 88 patients in the control group. After 6 months, mean electronic adherence was 70% (SD 17%) in the intervention group and 69% (SD 17%) in the control group (P=.82). Significant differences between the study groups in morning and evening adherence to inhaled therapy, asthma control, exhaled nitric oxide levels, or improvement of lung functions were not observed.

Conclusions: Motivational messages were not useful to improve adherence to inhaled asthma medication compared with usual care.

Keywords: SMS; Smartinhaler; adherence; asthma; cell phone; control; inhaler.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SmartTrack devices connected to pressurized metered-dose inhaler (left) and Turbuhaler inhalation device (right).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagram of the progress through the phases of a parallel randomized trial of two groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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