Evaluating the effect of mobile applications “My A:Care” and “Smart Coach” on adherence to lipid-lowering treatment in patients with dyslipidemia: a prospective, randomized, open-label clinical study

TL;DR

A study tested two mobile apps to improve medication adherence in patients with dyslipidemia, finding modest improvements in adherence and lipid levels compared to a control group.

Contribution

This study introduces mobile app-based interventions as a novel approach to improve adherence to lipid-lowering therapies in dyslipidemia patients.

Findings

Intervention groups showed significantly lower MARS-5VA scores than the control group at week 12.

Non-HDL-C levels improved more in app users compared to the control group.

Positive trends in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were observed in the intervention groups.

Abstract

Dyslipidemia, a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is managed using lipid-lowering therapies. Medication adherence for dyslipidemia treatment is poor across the globe, impacting treatment effectiveness. This highlights the need for scalable strategies, such as mobile app-based behavioral interventions, to enhance adherence to lipid-lowering therapies.

The study assesses the impact of “My A:Care” and “My A:Care Smart Coach” mobile interventions on adherence to dyslipidemia treatment.

This proof-of-concept, open-label, single-center study randomized 150 patients with suboptimal adherence to dyslipidemia treatment into three groups (1:1:1): My A:Care, My A:Care Smart Coach (intervention), and a no-app control group. Participants were monitored over 12 weeks. The primary objective was to assess changes in medication adherence, with secondary outcomes including changes in lipid parameters and beliefs about lipid-lowering medications. The study also explored the association between adherence and app engagement.

At week 12, the Medication Adherence Report with Visual Analog Scale (MARS-5VA) Part 1 scores were modestly, but significantly lower in the control group compared to the intervention groups: Mean (SD); No-App: −0.3 (0.9), Smart Coach: 0.0 (0.7) [p = 0.035], My A:Care-All: 0.0 (0.7) [p = 0.056]. Compared to the control, the intervention groups also showed greater improvements in non-HDL-C levels [% change (SE): My A:Care-All: −5.5% (3.2), Smart Coach: −4.3% (3.7), No-App: −1.8% (3.7)], along with favorable trends in TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C.

This proof-of-concept study suggests that the My A:Care and Smart Coach apps may positively impact adherence to lipid-lowering therapy in patients with dyslipidemia. The positive adherence outcomes and potential benefits in lipid control indicate promising early signals that warrant further investigation in larger, confirmatory studies.

NCT05370703.

Infographic summarizing a clinical study evaluating two mobile applications, "My A\:Care" and "Smart Coach", for improving lipid-lowering treatment adherence in 150 dyslipidemia patients. Study features include a 12-week, prospective, randomized, open-label design with three groups: two intervention arms using the apps and a control group without an app. Findings show greater treatment adherence and improved blood lipid parameters-specifically non-HDL-C and HDL-C-in the app groups versus control. Bar and dot plots illustrate mean adherence score changes (MARS part 1) and percentage lipid parameter changes by group. Trial registered as NCT05370703.

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