Table 2.
Description of text message interventions.
| Author/year (condition) | Intervention purpose | Intervention description |
| Boker et al, 2012 (acne) [34] | Improve adherence to recommended use of topical acne medication (text messages) | Text messages twice daily (Duac in AM, Gifferin in PM) for 12 weeks |
| Customized electronic reminder schedule at a specific time based on patient preferences and anticipated time of each medication use | ||
| 2-way communication: patients asked to text back a reply if and when each application was completed | ||
| Identical text with general content to all patients, varied only by starting with patient’s first name | ||
| Texts were sent through: www.LetterMeLater.com | ||
| Fabbrocini et al, 2014 (acne) [39] | Improve adherence to acne medications (text messages) | Texts twice daily for 12 weeks (11 consecutive days) |
| Texts focused on frequently asked questions about acne medications, such as administration, daily dose, and side effects | ||
| Texts were identical to all patients (no customization) covering 11 frequently asked questions | ||
| Texts re-sent in same sequence every 11 days until end of 12 weeks | ||
| Ostojic et al, 2005 (asthma) [47] | Improve adherence to inhaled medications and peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring (text messages and in-person sessions) | Patients sent their PEF results daily via text messages for 16 weeks |
| Data connected to a computer with software that automatically computed maximal, minimal, and mean PEF, PEF variability, and compliance | ||
| PEF measurements 3 times daily with medication use and symptoms in paper diary | ||
| Therapy was adjusted weekly by an asthma specialist according to peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM) values received daily from the patients | ||
| 1-hour asthma education session with specialist at clinic: discussed symptoms, asthma symptom score, indicators of control, medication use, and correct use of metered dose inhaler and PEFM | ||
| Louch et al, 2013 (diabetes mellitus) [43] | Improve insulin administration in young adults with type 1 diabetes; test moderation of intervention effect by personality factors (text messages) | Text messages sent daily (1-way communication) at 10 am for 14 days |
| No customization of message content | ||
| Text content was related to the correct insulin administration | ||
| Text targeted constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior: attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention | ||
| Mulvaney et al, 2012 (diabetes mellitus) [46] | Motivate patients and remind them with their diabetes self-care tasks (text messages “SuperEgo”) | 8-12 text messages/week for 12 weeks |
| Scheduled just before and after mealtimes and before bedtime | ||
| Customization with users able to alter timing and frequency of messages through a website | ||
| Messages could be scheduled in a 1-way communication at specific times of day within 15 minute increments and automated to be sent once only, or repeated based on participant preferences, such as daily, weekly, or on weekends | ||
| Individually tailored messages: 75% of messages tailored to the top 3 patient-specific adherence barriers reported; and 25% of messages were randomly selected from the remaining message pool | ||
| Four functions were included in the system: assessment, message selection, message scheduling, and requests for messages from others | ||
| Text messages were created in collaboration with 96 adolescents with diabetes mellitus and no messages were repeated | ||
| Participants could add their own messages, search for messages, and delete, change, or reschedule them using their mobile phone | ||
| Participants could also search for and select messages that were associated with a particular goal | ||
| Participants could ask other SuperEgo users for messages relating to a specific goal and then schedule that message for themselves | ||
| Messages could be specified as private or public | ||
| Participants could nominate people as part of their support team by entering that person’s email address into the system to contribute messages for patients | ||
| Franklin et al, 2006 (diabetes mellitus) [40] | Improve patients’ self-efficacy and glycemic control, and enhance their uptake of intensive insulin therapy (text messages “Sweet Talk”) | Text message reminders for 12 months |
| Weekly reminders of the goal set in clinic, and daily reminders providing tips, information, or reminders to reinforce this goal | ||
| Text messages automated, scheduled, and designed to offer regular support and optimize their self-management and control | ||
| Database of over 400 messages that encompass the four main diabetes self-management tasks (insulin injections, blood-glucose testing, healthy eating, and exercise) | ||
| Messages tailored based on patients goals and patients’ age, sex, and diabetes regimen | ||
| Occasional text “newsletters” regarding topical diabetes issues | ||
| Motivational support network | ||
| Dowshen et al, 2012 (HIV) [37] | Improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among youth (text messages) | Daily 2-way text messages for 24 weeks |
| Delivered at prespecified time schedule | ||
| Personalized content, patients were encouraged to develop messages that maintain their confidentiality | ||
| Interactive with follow-up messages with patients responding with number (1) if they took their medication and (2) if they did not | ||
| Participants could reach out to study coordinator at any time to change the message or to reprogram the message if their mobile service was interrupted | ||
| Texts were sent through: http://www.intelecare.com/ | ||
| Garofalo et al, 2015 (HIV) [41] | Improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among poorly adherent youth (text messages) | Daily text messages reminder for 6 months |
| Initial messages were followed by a second message 15 min later to check if patients took their medications in a 2-way communication | ||
| Personalized by subject for both content and schedule to be timed with medication doses | ||
| Customization with initial message and follow-up messages were designed by the youth themselves | ||
| Texts content were culture and identity sensitive and meaningful to participants | ||
| Texts content used more indirect language to maintain confidentiality | ||
| Motivational or encouraging follow-up messages were randomly sent to participants based on their affirmative or negative response | ||
| Participants were encouraged to delete messages after taking medication and to use passcode protection to maintain phone confidentiality | ||
| Sent/received and failed/invalid messages were summarized in weekly reports and sent to research staff to follow up with participants | ||
| Texts were sent through: http://www.remedyhealthmedia.com/ | ||
| Miloh et al, 2009 (liver transplant) [45] | Improve adherence to immunosuppressant medications (text messages) | Mean duration of the study 13 (SD 1.5) months |
| Text schedule was customized at day/time specified by user | ||
| 2-way communication where patients were expected to respond to text message to confirm medication intake; if no response within 15 min to 1-hour caregiver notified via text | ||
| Text messages were sent to the person responsible for medication intake (patient or caregiver) | ||
| Patients or their caregivers registered and entered their information into texting platform (MediM system) with a personal password | ||
| Entered information included patient’s name and mobile phone number, caregiver’s name/ nickname and mobile phone number, the medication name and frequency, and the exact times of text messages they want to receive | ||
| Participants did not enter medication dose as that might change based laboratory test results | ||
| No customization as text messages content was the same for all patients | ||
| Text messages were read: “Take [name of medication] at [set time]. To confirm intake, press REPLY, type CARE 1, and press SEND.” | ||
| Participants reimbursed for all text messages costs during the study | ||
| Texts were sent through: http://www.carespeak.com/corp/ | ||
| McKenzie et al, 2015 (liver transplant) [44] | Improve participation in laboratory testing among youth (text messages) | Automated laboratory tests text message reminders for 12 months |
| Text message timed with lab tests (monthly, bimonthly, quarterly) as reminder to complete lab tests | ||
| Text message reminders sent first Monday of each month when testing was due | ||
| On last Monday of the month, patients received a message about laboratory testing completion | ||
| Same message content for all patients | ||
| 2-way communication as patients replied back as yes/no responses | ||
| No reimbursement for the cost of text messages, but all participants had unlimited text plans | ||
| Mobile phone numbers entered into a secure website with secure-password | ||
| $31/month to maintain the intervention or website domain | ||
| Estepp et al, 2014 (sickle cell disease) [38] | Improve adherence to hydroxyurea therapy (text messages: SIMON) | Scheduled daily text message reminders for 12 months |
| Customizable for content, frequency, and duration | ||
| Participants created their own messages | ||
| Changes in text messages regimen checked every 3-4 clinic visits | ||
| Messages delivery was monitored (received and undelivered) and participants could optionally reply | ||
| Messages sent through a Web-based app | ||
| Ting et al, 2011 (systemic lupus erythematosus) [48] | A. Visit adherence intervention Improve adherence to scheduled clinic visits (text messages) |
Text reminders sent 7, 3, and 1 day prior to each scheduled f/u clinic appointment |
| Mean duration of the study 12 (SD 5) months | ||
| Content was individualized for each patient and included the scheduled appointment time | ||
| If a patient didn’t schedule follow-up appointment within 2–3 weeks after completed clinic visit, they would get a text reminder to do so | ||
| B. HCQ adherence intervention Improve adherence to use of hydroxychloroquine (text messages) |
Standardized daily text reminders for hydroxychloroquine intake daily or twice daily | |
| Mean duration of the study 12 (SD 5) months | ||
| Text reminders at set time of day, according to hydroxychloroquine schedule | ||
| Printed information sheet that was given to the standard of care group |