Usage, Usability & Effect on Adherence and Clinical Outcomes of Text Message Reminders for Adolescents With Asthma

• Asthma Control Test (ACT) [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline on ACT at 3 months (1st arm), Change from Baseline on ACT at 6 months (2nd arm) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The teen will complete the Asthma Control Test (ACT), a validated 5-item Likert scale test that asks them to detail their asthma symptoms. These are questions consistent with those that would be asked by a clinician (i.e., how many times have you used your fast-acting inhaler in the past four weeks, how often does asthma limit your activities). The responses to these questions will also be used to calculate the teen's asthma control.
  
  

• The Pediatric Quality of Life Scale Version 4.0 Teen Report (ages 13- 18) (PedsQL) [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline on PedsQL at 3 months (1st arm), Change from Baseline on PedsQL at 6 months (2nd arm) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  This assessment measures how much asthma has been a problem for them in the last month (i.e., "It is hard for me to be responsible for my medications.", "I worry about my asthma.")
  
  
• Adherence [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline in Adherence at 3 months (1st arm), Change from Baseline in Adherence at 6 months (2nd arm) ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Adherence to medication regimen will be monitored with the Smartinhaler Tracker developed by Nexus 6 ltd. It will record the adherence to medication administered through metered-dose inhalers, which include medication such as Qvar and Flovent. The Smartinhaler records the time and date medications were taken, whether the canister was shaken appropriately prior to inhalation, and how much the medication was inhaled.
  
  

Adolescents are typically less adept at managing chronic illnesses and adhering to treatment plans than are parents of younger children. Adolescents are also typically "early adopters" to technological solutions and text messages are integral in today's teen culture. Text messages are gaining acceptance in health care both as appointment reminders and direct inquiries. The purpose of this randomized crossover study is to examine the effect of participant designed medication reminders on asthma control, asthma related quality of life, and medication adherence. In addition, this study will provide data regarding the usage, usability, and acceptability of an online system designed for creating text message reminders.