Comparison of an interactive voice response system and smartphone application in the identification of gout flares

Abstract

Objective To examine the feasibility, preference, and satisfaction of an interactive voice response (IVR) system versus a customized smartphone application (StudyBuddy) to capture gout flares Methods In this 24-week prospective, randomized, crossover, open-label pilot study, 44 gout patients were randomized to IVR vs. StudyBuddy and were crossed over to the other technology after 12 weeks. Flares were reported via weekly (and later daily) scheduled StudyBuddy or IVR queries. Feasibility was ascertained via response rate to scheduled queries. At 12 and 24 weeks, participants completed preference/satisfaction surveys. Preference and satisfaction were assessed using dichotomous or ordinal questions. Sensitivity was assessed by the frequency of flare reporting with each approach. Results Thirty-eight of 44 participants completed the study. Among completers, feasibility was similar for IVR (81%) and StudyBuddy (80%). Conversely, most (74%) preferred StudyBuddy. Measures of satisfaction (ease of use, preference over in-person clinic visits, and willingness for future use) were similar between the IVR and StudyBuddy; however, more participants deemed the StudyBuddy as convenient (95% vs. 73%, P = 0.01) and less disruptive (97% vs. 82%, P = 0.03). Although the per patient number of weeks in flare was not significantly different (mean 3.4 vs. 2.6 weeks/patient, P = 0.15), the StudyBuddy captured more of the total flare weeks (35%) than IVR (27%, P = 0.02). Conclusion A smartphone application and IVR demonstrated similar feasibility but overall sensitivity to capture gout flares and participant preference were greater for the smartphone application. Participant preference for the smartphone application appeared to relate to perceptions of greater convenience and lower disruption. Trial registration NCT, NCT02855437 . Registered 4 August 2016

Tele-monitoring flares using a smartphone app in patients with gout or suspected gout: a feasibility study

“…The adherence found in the present study is very high compared with that reported in similar literature [ 19 ]. It is possible that the high adherence is a result of the easy and short patient definition, because Elmagboul et al [ 8 ], who used the same definition, showed similar adherence rates when monitoring gout flares on a weekly basis for 6 months using a smartphone app and interactive voice response. Additionally, in a qualitative study patients stressed that flare monitoring should be included in a gout self-management app [ 20 ].…”

“…Recently, Gaffo et al [ 7 ] validated a patient-reported gout flare definition. This flare definition was incorporated into a smartphone application (app) to tele-monitor gout flares at home during clinical trials [ 8 ]. That study showed that it was feasible to capture gout flares at onset using the app and was deemed very convenient by patients.…”

Age Is Not a Barrier: Older Adults With Cancer Derive Similar Benefit in a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Remote Symptom Monitoring Intervention Compared With Younger Adults

“… 13 Previous research has shown that older adults will utilize automated interactive voice response (IVR) systems, however it is not clear whether they used the intervention at similar rates as younger adults or whether they derived the same benefit. 14 - 16 Interventions such as IVR are one component under the broader term of technological interventions.…”