Using a mobile app to help teens with sickle cell disease take their medication

An mHealth Strategy to Improve Medication Adherence in Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease

NA · Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago · NCT04688411

This study is testing a mobile app to see if it can help teens and young adults with sickle cell disease remember to take their medication regularly.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 21 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (other)
Locations1 site (Chicago, Illinois)
Trial IDNCT04688411 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the MED-Go app, a behavioral intervention designed to improve medication adherence among adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease. Researchers will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the app, which aims to enhance adherence to hydroxyurea treatment. Given the challenges of low adherence rates in this population, the study seeks to leverage mobile health technology to promote better health outcomes. The long-term goal is to improve the quality of life and reduce healthcare costs associated with sickle cell disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents and young adults aged 12-21 years with any genotype of sickle cell disease who have been on hydroxyurea for at least two months.

Not a fit: Patients who have been recently hospitalized within the past week may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve medication adherence and health outcomes for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that mobile health interventions can be effective in improving medication adherence among adolescents, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 12-21 years old
* Any sickle cell disease genotype
* On steady state of hydroxyurea for 2 months
* Own of have access to a smartphone during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent hospitalizations within the past 7 days

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Beta Zero Thalassemia, Sickle B+ Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Hemoglobin C, sickle cell disease, hydrxoyurea, mHealth intervention

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.