Impact of Pillboxes on Medical Adherence

Florida International University (FIU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Medication Adherence; Chronic Disease

Treatments: Behavioral: Reflection on medication routines; Behavioral: Education & Training; Device: Standard off-the-shelf pillbox; Device: Custom designed and manufactured pillbox; Device: Custom off-the-shelf pillbox

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03861845

IRB-18-0451

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study uses an experimental design to test the impact of different types of pillboxes on medication adherence. Participants in this study will randomized to receive one of the three pillbox interventions: 1) A standard seven day a week, one-dose per day pillbox with training 2) an off-the-shelf pillbox that was purchased specifically for the individual's needs with training and education, or 3) a customized 3D printed pillbox that was designed and manufactured specifically to the individual's needs with training and education. Participants will have three visits with the research team to collect baseline data, receive the pillbox, and collect follow up data.

Risks to the study include loss of time, boredom, invasion of privacy, and medication errors. The investigators have taken precautions to mitigate these risks. This study will improve understanding of medication adherence and potentially help us better address poor medication adherence which needlessly causes morbidity, mortality, and costs over $300 million in unnecessary healthcare costs each year.

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older
• speak English
• be prescribed to take two or more medications per day, and manage their own medications.

Exclusion criteria

• have a significant cognitive impairment
• unwilling to use a novel pillbox
• unable to meet with the research team

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

---

15 participants in 3 patient groups

Standard off-the-shelf pillbox

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will engage in reflection on medication routines. Then they will receive a standard off-the-shelf pillbox. Finally, the participants will receive education \& training on how to use the pillbox.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Reflection on medication routines

Device: Standard off-the-shelf pillbox

Behavioral: Education & Training

Custom off-the-shelf

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will engage in reflection on medication routines. Then they will receive a custom off-the-shelf pillbox. Finally, the participants will receive education \& training on how to use the pillbox.

Treatment:

Device: Custom off-the-shelf pillbox

Behavioral: Reflection on medication routines

Behavioral: Education & Training

Custom designed and manufactured

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will engage in reflection on medication routines. Then they will receive a custom designed and manufactured pillbox. Finally, the participants will receive education \& training on how to use the pillbox.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Reflection on medication routines

Behavioral: Education & Training

Device: Custom designed and manufactured pillbox