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Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Date Submitted: Oct 8, 2020
Date Accepted: Jan 7, 2021

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Access to Technology and Preferences for an mHealth Intervention to Promote Medication Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Approach Leveraging Behavior Change Techniques

Heneghan M, Hussain T, Barrera L, Cai SW, Haugen M, Morgan E, Rossoff J, Weinstein J, Hijiya N, Cella D, Badawy SM

Access to Technology and Preferences for an mHealth Intervention to Promote Medication Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Approach Leveraging Behavior Change Techniques

J Med Internet Res 2021;23(2):e24893

DOI: 10.2196/24893

PMID: 33599621

PMCID: 7932843

Access to technology and preferences for an mHealth intervention to promote medication adherence in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): An approach leveraging behavior change techniques (BCTs)

  • Mallorie Heneghan; 
  • Tasmeen Hussain; 
  • Leonardo Barrera; 
  • Stephanie W. Cai; 
  • Maureen Haugen; 
  • Elaine Morgan; 
  • Jenna Rossoff; 
  • Joanna Weinstein; 
  • Nobuko Hijiya; 
  • David Cella; 
  • Sherif M. Badawy

ABSTRACT

Background:

Suboptimal adherence to 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is prevalent in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and associated with increased risk of relapse. Rapid uptake of personal technology makes mobile health (mHealth) an attractive platform to promote adherence.

Objective:

Study objectives were to examine access to mobile technology and preferences for an mHealth intervention to improve medication adherence in pediatric ALL.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was administered in oncology clinic to parents of children with ALL as well as adolescents and young adults (AYA) with ALL receiving maintenance chemotherapy.

Results:

Forty-nine parents (median age (IQR) 39 (33-42) years; female 76%) and 15 patients (median age (IQR) 17 (16-19), male 80%) participated. All parents and AYA owned electronic tablets, smartphones, or both. Parents’ most endorsed mHealth app features included a list of medications (71%), information about 6-MP (71%), refill reminders (71%), and reminders to take 6-MP (71%). AYA’s most endorsed features included refill reminders (73%), reminders to take 6-MP (73%) and tracking 6-MP (73%).

Conclusions:

Parents and AYA reported ubiquitous access to mobile technology and strong interest in multiple adherence-specific mHealth app features. Parents and AYA provided valuable insight into preferred features for a multifunctional behavioral intervention (mHealth app) to promote medication adherence in pediatric ALL.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Heneghan M, Hussain T, Barrera L, Cai SW, Haugen M, Morgan E, Rossoff J, Weinstein J, Hijiya N, Cella D, Badawy SM

Access to Technology and Preferences for an mHealth Intervention to Promote Medication Adherence in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Approach Leveraging Behavior Change Techniques

J Med Internet Res 2021;23(2):e24893

DOI: 10.2196/24893

PMID: 33599621

PMCID: 7932843

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