Researchers are using motivational multimedia coupled with positive reinforcement via a smartphone app to improve asthma outcomes among low income minority adolescents with asthma. This NIH funded study is taking place at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The application and device was created at UIC with seed funding provided by the UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science.
Chicago has one of the highest pediatric asthma rates of cities across the U.S. According to CDC, child prevalence is much higher in children aged 10-14 and 15-17 in Illinois as compared with other states.
The study will enroll 20 minority adolescents ages 11-16. Each participant in the study receives a smartphone preloaded with an app that uses a reward system to encourage the participant to proactively take their daily asthma controller medications. They also receive a free data plan that includes unlimited talking, texting, email, and internet for the duration of their participation in the study.
According to Dr. Giselle Mosnaim, an allergy and immunology specialist at Rush, “Adolescents prefer instant gratification and often engage in risk-taking behavior. As a result, they are more inclined to bypass taking their daily medications and take the risk that they may end up in the emergency room later.”
“The smartphone is equipped with a Bluetooth app that records every time the inhaler is used,” Mosnaim said. “The connection gives the times, dates, and locations in latitude and longitude as well as air pollution and pollen levels available from the National Allergy Bureau and Environmental Protection every time the adolescent takes a puff. This information is very important as poor air quality and/or high pollen counts can be an influencing factor in treating asthma.”
Every time participants take the entire dose in the correct time window, they will score points in a virtual game and earn 50 cents that they can use at the Google Play store to purchase music, apps, movies, or televisions shows.
For more information, contact Dr. Mosnaim at (312) 563-3744.