Using mobile health technology to help teens with familial hypercholesterolemia take their statin medication
The Use of Mobile Health Technology and Behavioral Economics to Encourage Adherence to Statins in Adolescents with Familial Hypercholesterolemia
This study is looking at how using mobile health apps can help teenagers with high cholesterol from their families remember to take their medication regularly, by finding fun and motivating ways to encourage them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10685374 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how mobile health technology can encourage adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia to adhere to their statin medication. By applying principles from behavioral economics, the study aims to create effective incentives that motivate teens to take their medication regularly. The approach includes a randomized crossover trial to test the efficacy of these interventions, as well as focus groups to understand the barriers these adolescents face in adhering to their treatment. The goal is to improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in this population.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have familial hypercholesterolemia or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve medication adherence among adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia, leading to better health outcomes and reduced cardiovascular risks.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using behavioral economics and mobile health technologies to improve medication adherence, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hartz, Jacob — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hartz, Jacob
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.