JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drug approved for the treatment of multiple moderate to severe chronic inflammatory diseases. In the EU, CZP is approved for administration by subcutaneous self-injection using a pre-filled syringe (PFS), pre-filled pen (PFP), or reusable electromechanical auto-injector (e-Device). CimplyMe is a companion app for use alongside CZP self-injection devices, designed to support CZP-treated patients self-managing their treatment and disease.

Objective:

To validate the usability of the companion app by demonstrating that tasks required for use can be performed successfully by intended end users.

Methods:

Fifteen patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, currently prescribed biologic treatment and using apps on a smart phone, were recruited. Patients were assessed on their ability to use the companion app in a setting designed to simulate a location where patients regularly administer biologic treatment. Eight critical and three non-critical tasks were designed to assess the usability of key features of the app. Patients’ success on each task was recorded through observations or knowledge-based questions. Successes with difficulty and use errors were also recorded. If a patient made a use error at the first attempt, a second attempt was allowed. Second attempt use errors were recorded as a task failure.

Results:

A total of 207 first attempts at the 14 components of 8 critical tasks were evaluated (3 patients failed to complete one component). 178 (86.0%) critical tasks were successfully completed at the first attempt. The remaining first attempts comprised 16 (7.7%) successes with difficulty, and 13 (6.3%) use errors, which had to be repeated. One critical task was not re-attempted by one patient due to time constraints, however there were no use errors in the 12 completed second attempts. A total of 107 first attempts at the three non-critical tasks were made, all of which (107/107; 100.0%) were completed without use errors.

Conclusions:

In a simulated testing, patients were able to successfully use the companion app without formal training. This study suggests the companion app is easy to use and could help CZP patients better manage their treatment and disease.