Abstract

JACOME, Cristina et al. mINSPIRERS - Feasibility of a mobile application to measure and improve adherence to inhaled controller medications among adolescents and adults with persistent asthma. Protocol for a multicentre observational study. Rev Port Imunoalergologia [online]. 2018, vol.26, n.1, pp.47-61. ISSN 0871-9721.

Background: Poor adherence to inhaled controller medications is one of the main limiting factors for improving asthma outcomes. There is a need to develop easy-to-disseminate objective monitoring tools, as well as to promote adherence strategies within the patients’ daily-life. Smartphones and virtual community gaming can have a relevant role in the adoption of health promoting behaviors. This led to the creation of the mobile application InspirerMundi, with its monitoring, gamification and peer-support components, to measure and improve inhaled medications adherence in adolescents and adults with asthma. The aim of the study mInspirers is to assess the feasibility of this mobile application. Methods: A multicentre prospective observational study with an initial visit and three follow-up phone interviews (at one week, one month and four months) will be conducted in at least 25 secondary care centres (Immunoallergology, Pediatrics, Pulmonology) in Portugal. A minimum of 20 adolescents and 20 adults with persistent asthma will participate. Main outcomes will include: adherence to medication, beliefs about medication, satisfaction with inhaler device, asthma control, technical feasibility and use of the application as well as satisfaction with the application. Discussion: InspirerMundi application intends to transform the process of adherence to treatment into a positive experience through gamification and social interaction, while allowing for verified monitoring of treatment adherence. It is anticipated that the results of this study will contribute to the improvement of the InspirerMundi application, as well as to inform the development of future mHealth solutions and interventions to improve medication adherence in patients with asthma.

Keywords : Asthma; feasibility studies; medication adherence; mobile applications.

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