Health Technology/clinical-trials

Phase IV Trial Tests Mobile App for Medication Adherence in Older Adults on Polypharmacy — Digital Health Innovation Meets Geriatric Care

247 Health News Editorial

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21 June 2026

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4 min read

·clinical-trials

Italian researchers test the Itaca mobile app against usual care for improving medication adherence in older adults managing polypharmacy. This 98-participant RCT addresses a critical gap in digital health evidence for geriatric populations.

Originally reported by ClinicalTrials.gov

References

  1. 1.Australian Digital Health Agency. (2023). Mobile Health Applications: Regulatory Framework and Guidelines. Australian Government Department of Health. https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/
  2. 2.Iuga, A. O., & McGuire, M. J. (2014). Adherence and health care costs. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 7, 35-44. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S19801
  3. 3.Jokanovic, N., Tan, E. C., Dooley, M. J., Kirkpatrick, C. M., & Bell, J. S. (2015). Prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in long‐term care facilities: a systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(6), 535.e1-535.e12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2015.06.006
  4. 4.Khezrian, M., McNeil, C. J., Murray, A. D., & Myint, P. K. (2020). An overview of prevalence, determinants and health outcomes of polypharmacy. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 11, 2042098620933741. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098620933741
  5. 5.Masnoon, N., Shakib, S., Kalisch-Ellett, L., & Caughey, G. E. (2017). What is polypharmacy? A systematic review of definitions. BMC Geriatrics, 17(1), 230. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-017-0621-2
  6. 6.Morisky, D. E., Ang, A., Krousel‐Wood, M., & Ward, H. J. (2008). Predictive validity of a medication adherence measure in an outpatient setting. Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 10(5), 348-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2008.07572.x
  7. 7.University of Roma La Sapienza. (2024). Monitoring Medication Adherence in Patients Aged ≥65 Years on Polypharmacy: A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Itaca Mobile App vs. Usual Care. ClinicalTrials.gov. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07631676
  8. 8.Whitehead, L., & Seaton, P. (2016). The effectiveness of self-management mobile phone and tablet apps in long-term condition management: a systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(5), e4883. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4883
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247 Health News Editorial

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