Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida
Conditions
Keywords
Mobile technology, Reinforcement-learning, Medication management
Brief summary
This is a pilot study to develop a reinforcement learning (RL)-adaptive visual and interactive support application (hereafter RL-adaptive support) to help young adults with spina bifida or cerebral palsy become more independent with medication management. Individuals with disabilities who are empowered to manage several aspects of their lives can ultimately be better integrated into and contribute more to society.
Detailed description
In this study, an application will be iteratively developed and tested using RL-adaptive support for young adults with disabilities, with the goal to promote the transition to independent self-medication administration among young adults with cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Stochastic mathematical models of how individuals with varying levels of executive function and psychomotor skills will respond to the interventions (i.e. the different types and formats of messages) of the RL-adaptive support will be developed. Up to 6 dyads of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers were intended to be recruited to collaborate in defining the features and content of the RL-adaptive support. The investigators recruited 3 dyads. The steps in developing the RL-adaptive support include having the dyads use for approximately 6 weeks each: 1. young adult uses an electronic medication pillbox that sends its pillbox openings within one hour of opening to the research team, 2. young adult uses the electronic medication pillbox + both use a commercially available medication reminder app + caregiver uses a pillbox opening notification app, and 3. young adult uses the electronic medication pillbox + the RL-adaptive support including push notifications in the form of text messages + caregiver uses the pillbox opening notification app The goal was to reduce the number of caregiver prompts necessary for the medication pillbox to be opened. Using these data, the number and type of prompts necessary for the caregiver to open the electronic pillbox can be determined. In case the young adult does not open the electronic pillbox within two hours, the caregiver will be notified so that pills are not missed. In each step, the useful features of the system will be determined via qualitative and quantitative feedback with specific suggestions about how to improve this supportive system.
Interventions
DEVICERL-adaptive application
Up to 6 dyads of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers will be recruited to collaborate in defining the features and content of the RL-adaptive support. The steps in developing the RL-adaptive support include having the dyads use for approximately 6 weeks each: 1. young adult uses an electronic medication pillbox that sends its pillbox openings within one hour of opening to the research team, 2. young adult uses the electronic medication pillbox + both use a commercially available medication reminder app + caregiver uses a pillbox opening notification app, and 3. young adult uses the electronic medication pillbox + the RL-adaptive support including push notifications in the form of text messages + caregiver uses the pillbox opening notification app. The goal is to reduce the number of caregiver prompts necessary for the medication pillbox to be opened.
Sponsors
University of Michigan
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Unblinded pilot study with 1 intervention arm
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
For young adult: * Diagnosed with cerebral palsy or spina bifida and previously enrolled in HUM00081812 * Age 18-26 years-old * Having mild-moderate cognition based on consultation with the investigators and the results of the following tests: iBRIEF Metacognition index T-Score, CVLT List A Free Recall T Score, ReyO Organization T-Score, PPVT Scaled Score, Tower Scaled Score, TRAQ question 4: Do participants take medications correctly and on their own? * Having adequate physical dexterity (to be able to open a pill box and use an iPad/tablet) * Taking two or more routine oral medicines in pill formulation * Being able to take capsules or tablets * Still living at home with their parent/legal guardian * Have Wi-Fi/Internet access at home For parent/caregiver: * Being the parent/legal guardian of a person with aforementioned disability * Owning a cell phone * Have Wi-Fi/Internet access at home
Exclusion criteria
• Those who do not fulfill the inclusion criteria will be excluded from the study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prefer to continue to use RL-adaptive support after study is over | at least 18 weeks after beginning study | Qualitative feedback |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Usefulness of the aspects of the RL-adaptive support | End of each phase, which lasts approximately 6 weeks | Qualitative feedback |
| Most and least helpful aspects of RL-adaptive support application | End of each phase, which lasts approximately 6 weeks | Qualitative feedback |
| Ease of use of RL-adaptive support application | End of each phase, which lasts approximately 6 weeks | Qualitative feedback |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed