New mobile app proves effective in enhancing TB drug adherence – Over 10 million TB cases occur globally each year, with Malaysia expecting nearly 30,000 by 2030. The standard treatment requires a strict 6-month medication regimen, but many patients struggle with adherence. Traditional methods like Direct Observed Therapy (DOTS) face challenges like patient inconvenience and high loss to follow-up.
And now a new mobile app called Gamified-Real-Time Video Observed Therapy (GRVOTS) has been found to be effective in enhancing tuberculosis (TB) drug adherence
The app not only improves connectivity between healthcare professionals and patients but also fosters cumulatively improving patient adherence to medication regimens
The study was conducted in Malaysia and involved tracking patients during the study period to analyze the app’s success in improving adherence.
GRVOTS uses gamification elements like reminders, rewards, and progress tracking to keep patients engaged. Patients submit daily video recordings of themselves taking their medication, fostering accountability and supervision. The app features separate dashboards for patients, supervisors, and administrators, enabling seamless communication and monitoring.
Findings
- 90.87% adherence rate with GRVOTS, significantly exceeding the recommended 80% and traditional DOTS methods.
- Linear increase in adherence habits over time, suggesting long-term effectiveness.
- Significant increase in intrinsic motivation scores measured by the IMI questionnaire.
- Improvement across all three subdomains of motivation: competence, interest, and choice.
- Interest showed the highest positive change, suggesting the app effectively increased patients’ engagement.
Potential Benefits:
- Reduced TB transmission due to improved treatment completion rates.
- Improved public health outcomes through better TB management.
- Empowerment for patients through self-management and gamified progress tracking.
- Enhanced communication and monitoring between patients, supervisors, and administrators.
Mobile health (mHealth) apps have been identified as valuable tools to improve TB treatment, particularly those facilitating dose individualization, adherence monitoring, or providing information and education about the disease
The use of mHealth interventions, such as reminder apps and devices with access to mobile phones, has been shown to improve TB treatment outcomes
However, the effects of these interventions on TB treatment outcomes remain controversial.
Are there any other mobile apps for tb treatment adherence?
Several mobile apps have been developed to facilitate tuberculosis (TB) treatment adherence. Some of these apps include:
Adhere2Tx-TB: This app is designed to facilitate patients’ daily drug intake by alerting and reminding them about their medication schedule.
Stop TB: Another app developed to support TB treatment adherence. It likely provides features to help patients adhere to their medication regimens.
TBmCure: This app is designed to support TB treatment, likely including features for medication adherence support.
Sembuh TB: An app aimed at supporting TB treatment, potentially including features to improve medication adherence.
These apps, along with the Gamified-Real-Time Video Observed Therapy (GRVOTS) app, contribute to the improvement of TB treatment adherence and provide valuable support for patients in managing their medication regimens.
Mobile health apps, in general, have been recognized as important tools for improving TB treatment, particularly in facilitating dose individualization, adherence monitoring, and providing information and education about the disease.
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