Evaluation of Adherence to Topical Agents: Applying Communication Technology to Improve Sunscreen Use

Early Phase 1

Completed

Interventions: Device: Electronic + no text message
Device: Electronic monitor + text messages

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine if using an electronic reminder improves adherence to sunscreen use. The specific study aims are as follows:

1. To determine whether the use of electronic reminder system increases adherence to topical agents.

2. To assess technological feasibility of measuring adherence to topical agents using electronic monitors specially designed for tubes.

3. To assess technological feasibility of providing electronic reminders using cellular phone text-messaging system.

4. To obtain subjects' feedback on the adherence monitoring and reminder system.

Detailed Description: We propose to use communication technology to develop a novel means of monitoring and improving adherence to topical agents. We will conduct a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial to assess the impact of automated reminder system on adherence rates to sunscreens. This study will involve designing an electronic monitoring device specifically for topical agents and creating a platform for an automated reminder system. The electronic monitoring devices will be adaptable to tubes of varying shapes and sizes, and they will send SMS messages to a central server in real-time each time the tube is opened. We will create a text-message reminder system to send reminders to users' cellular phones over a secured network. Our hypothesis is that the electronic monitoring and reminder system will increase patients' adherence to topical agents. We will measure the impact of the intervention on adherence rates and assess patients' views on the reminder system. This project will allow us to engineer a novel device to electronically monitor adherence to topical agents and to use communication technology to change patients' behavior.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Electronic monitor + no text message	Electronic + no text message	The control or placebo comparator group of subjects will receive the study sunscreen with the attached electronic monitor. They will be instructed to apply sunscreen once a day in the morning to the sun-exposed areas of the body. If the subjects are to have continuous sun exposure (for example, at a beach), they are to re-apply the sunscreen every 3 hours.
Electronic monitor + Text message	Electronic monitor + text messages	The text message experimental group of subjects will receive the study sunscreen with the attached electronic monitor. In addition, this group will receive daily text messages on their cellular phone to remind them to apply the sunscreen. The text message will also contain the daily weather information. This group will also be instructed to apply sunscreen once a day in the morning to the sun-exposed areas of the body. If subjects are to have continuous sun exposure (for example, at a beach), they are to re-apply the sunscreen every 3 hours.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Days the Subjects Are Adherent to Using Sunscreen	6 weeks	Participants' adherence was captured in real time using transmitting electronic monitors. At the end of the 6 week trial, the mean number of days the subjects are adherent to using sunscreen were compared.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Usefulness of Text Messaging System	6 weeks	Patients with the text message reminder system were asked their opinion on their satisfaction/ improved adherence to sunscreen application with the use of the messaging system on a scale of 0 to 10 (0, not useful at all; 10,most useful)
Recalled Frequency of Sunscreen Application	6 weeks	The participants were asked to recall their frequency of sunscreen application based on a 5 point scale (0 never used sunscreen,; 1 forgot to apply 3x weekly,; 2 forgot to apply 1-2x weekly; 3 forgot to apply 1-2x per month; 4 always remembered)

Locations (2): Massachusetts General Hospital
🇺🇸
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital
🇺🇸
Boston, Massachusetts, United States