This study is for caregivers of young children with sickle cell disease and adolescents with sickle cell disease who are currently prescribed hydroxyurea and are receiving care at one of the study sites. The study will assess retention and engagement during a pilot randomized control trial comparing video directly observed therapy (VDOT) to attention control. We also hope to understand more about patient and family preferences longer-term adherence monitoring and intervention. Participants will use an electronic adherence monitor (provided by the study team) to measure how often they are taking their hydroxyurea. Participants will also be asked to complete questionnaires throughout the study period to provide information about their expectations for, experience with, and satisfaction with the study materials.
This is an investigator-blinded, multi-center pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) and caregivers of young children with SCD. After completion of a run-in period, subjects will undergo randomization to either six months of video directly observed therapy (VDOT) or attention control. Electronic adherence monitors will be used to measure adherence. After the intervention period, all participants will then complete a six-month ongoing monitoring period where VDOT participants will continue to use electronic adherence monitors and receive intermittent communication to encourage adherence and attention controls will continue to use their electronic adherence monitors. The investigators are partnering with a small business, Scene Health, to administer VDOT. Outcomes such as engagement, retention, and satisfaction will be measured through survey data collected at routine study visits. Sickle cell-related outcomes and healthcare utilization will be abstracted from patient electronic medical records throughout each study period. Adherence data will be recorded by the electronic adherence devices.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
60
VDOT is an adherence-promoting intervention that involves partnering with an adolescent with SCD (or caregiver of a young patient with SCD) and observing the patient administer their hydroxyurea. In this study, VDOT will be delivered by a small business partner, Scene Health, via a smart phone app.
Participants randomized to this arm will receive an automated, daily, short health or safety tip alert (e.g. "Time to get moving! You should be active for at least 30 minutes each day") to receive during the 180-day intervention period on their smartphone. The daily tip will be unrelated to hydroxyurea adherence. After the 180-day intervention period, participants complete a 180-day ongoing monitoring period where they will no longer receive these messages, but they will be reminded to continue to use their electronic adherence monitoring device. All participants will be offered a smart phone with a data plan at enrollment to ensure equal opportunity for participation.
Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGNationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, United States
RECRUITINGHasbro Children's Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGRetention Rate
The number of participants who are retained on both study arms during each study period will be reported.
Time frame: throughout the study at various timepoints after enrollment including: after approximately 30-90 days, 210 days, and 390 days
Sustained Engagement
The number of participants who continue to actively participate with the intervention (VDOT arm only) and who report being satisfied with the intervention on the VDOT satisfaction survey.
Time frame: Throughout the intervention period, which will take place from approximately 30 days after enrollment to 210 days after enrollment
Electronic Adherence
Electronic adherence data from the electronic monitors will be integrated with the prescribing and hospitalization data from participants' electronic medical record to account for days when participants may not open their electronic pill bottle but are still adherent to their prescribed regimen. Hospitalization days will be subtracted from the adherence calculation, since participants will receive hydroxyurea from the inpatient pharmacy.
Time frame: throughout the study at various timepoints after enrollment including: after approximately 30-90 days, 210 days, and 390 days
Pediatric SCD Medication Self-Management Questionnaire
: An adapted questionnaire to assess caregivers' hydroxyurea knowledge and expectations, perception of their adherence, their barriers to adherence, and their beliefs about hydroxyurea's efficacy.
Time frame: At multiple points throughout the study, including at enrollment, at approximately 90 days after randomization, at approximately 180 days months after randomization, and at approximately 360 days after randomization
Frequency of acute care visits (ACS and VOC), ICU admissions, and LOS for hospitalizations
Any acute visit (e.g., emergency, day hospital, and/or hospitalization visits) that is documented in the electronic medical record during the study. Emergency and day hospital visits that result in hospitalization will be categorized as one visit. Details from each of these visits will be abstracted.
Time frame: throughout the study at various timepoints after enrollment including: after approximately 30-90 days, 210 days, and 390 days
Laboratory Studies (i.e. MCV, HbF)
Routine hematologic labs that are collected on patients receiving hydroxyurea will be collected from the electronic medical record (EMR).
Time frame: throughout the study at various timepoints after enrollment including: after approximately 30-90 days, 210 days, and 390 days
Treatment Satisfaction
An 11-item survey to assess hydroxyurea treatment satisfaction over four domains, side effects, effectiveness, convenience and global satisfaction.
Time frame: throughout the study at various timepoints after enrollment including: after approximately 30-90 days, 210 days, and 390 days
Participant Satisfaction
A Likert-scale survey to assess participant motivation for participating, understanding of the study and its procedures, experience interacting with research staff and completing study visits and activities.
Time frame: At the end of the study, which will be approximately 390 days after enrollment
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.