Gamification for Medication Adherence in High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests whether a game-like approach, involving a supportive partner and doctor feedback, can help people adhere to their medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia). It compares two groups: one receives gamified prompts and partner support, while the other receives only reminder texts. The trial is ideal for individuals who have been on blood pressure and cholesterol medications for over a year but struggle with regular intake. Participants must own a smartphone or tablet and have had recent high blood pressure readings. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods for improving medication adherence.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial does not require you to stop your current medications. In fact, you need to have been prescribed blood pressure and statin medications for over a year to participate.
What prior data suggests that this gamification intervention is safe for improving medication adherence?
Research has shown that using game-like features to help people take their medications is generally safe. A review of different studies found no major negative effects when these features were used in health programs. Another study found that adding game-like elements did not cause any side effects and was liked by participants. This suggests that incorporating game-like features into health routines can safely encourage regular medication adherence without causing harm.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it uses gamification to tackle the challenge of medication adherence in people with high blood pressure and cholesterol. Unlike traditional methods that rely on routine reminders or direct monitoring, this approach turns medication-taking into an interactive game. Participants earn and lose points based on their adherence, adding an engaging, motivational twist that could make sticking to treatment plans more appealing and effective. Additionally, the inclusion of a support partner who receives progress updates fosters a supportive environment, potentially leading to better health outcomes.
What evidence suggests that this trial's gamification intervention could be effective for improving medication adherence in hypertension and hyperlipidemia?
Research has shown that game-like features can help people take their medication more regularly. One study found that although the overall changes were modest, certain groups benefited significantly. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will experience gamification, using elements like points and levels to make taking medication feel more like a game. Many patients find this enjoyable, which can lead to better habits. Another study found that gamification also increased physical activity, suggesting it can improve health behaviors. This method might help people with high blood pressure and cholesterol take their medications more consistently.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Alexander Fanaroff, MD, MHS
Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for patients with high blood pressure and cholesterol who have struggled to take their medications regularly. They must own a smartphone, have had a recent blood pressure reading over 140 mm Hg, been on specific meds for over a year, and not taken them as prescribed in the last 6 months. Those with very high blood pressure or less than 6 months to live cannot join.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive a gamification intervention or attention control text messages to improve medication adherence
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- HTN and Medication Adherence
Trial Overview
The study tests if adding game-like elements (gamification) to treatment, along with support from friends or family and reporting to doctors can help patients stick to their medication schedules better than just getting reminder texts.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Via the Way to Health platform, all patients will receive daily text messages asking about medication adherence for that day and twice weekly text messages asking if participants have measured blood pressure on that day. Participants are entered into a game. Each week they receive 90 points. If they took their medications or checked their blood pressure the prior day, they keep their points, but if not, they lose 10 points. At the end of the week if they have at least 70 points they move up a level, but if not, they drop a level. Participants start in the middle of 5 levels. Participants choose a support partner. At the start of the intervention, the study team holds a 3-way phone call with the participant and support partner to discuss ways they can help the participant meet their goal. The support partner gets a weekly email with the participant's progress. Primary care physicians will receive a monthly email noting patients' self-reported adherence and blood pressure.
Via the Way to Health platform, all participants will receive daily text messages asking about medication adherence for that day and twice weekly text messages asking if participants have measured blood pressure on that day.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
Effectiveness of a Text-Based Gamification Intervention to ...
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Systematic Review of Health App Gamification for Lifestyle ...
Outcomes: The primary outcome will be adherence to the intervention associated with use of the application, such as, but not limited to: physical activity ...
Gamification and Medication Adherence (GAME Adherence)
The study will randomize 84 patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a history of poor medication adherence seen in a single Penn Medicine clinic to an ...
The Use of Gamification and Incentives in Mobile Health ...
The study reported significant effectiveness of the intervention in a subgroup population despite finding nonsignificant changes in the total ...
Understanding Patient Perspectives on the Use of ...
This qualitative study aims to identify patient perspectives on the use of gamification and financial incentives in mobile health (mHealth) apps for medication ...
a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized ...
Outcomes included physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors (adiposity, glycemia, lipids, blood pressure and dietary factors). Data ...
Serious Gaming and Gamification Education in Health ...
This study compared serious gaming/gamification with an online posting intervention for primary care physicians and reported significantly ...
8.
bmccardiovascdisord.biomedcentral.com
bmccardiovascdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12872-025-04698-5Internet-based digital intervention to support the self ...
No effects emerged for diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, quality of life, or medication adherence. No adverse events or device ...
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