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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07099612

Smart Blister Packaging and Mobile Application to Monitor and Support Medication Adherence: a Two-arm Usability Study

Many people struggle to take their medications as prescribed, which can lead to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. New technologies, such as smart blister packs and mobile apps, may help patients improve how they take their medicine. These systems can record when a tablet is taken and give reminders or feedback through a smartphone.

This study evaluates the usability and feasibility of a smart medication packaging system called Cere®Pak, which automatically logs each time a tablet is removed. A connected mobile application, MEMS® Mobile, can provide additional support such as reminders and dose tracking.

The goal of this study is to compare the user experience of the Cere®Pak system with and without the use of the app. We hypothesize that participants using the app in addition to the smart blister will report better usability and may show higher engagement with the system.

The study is a small, randomized trial involving healthy adult volunteers. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: One group uses the Cere®Pak system together with the MEMS® Mobile app, which includes optional reminders and access to adherence data. The other group uses the Cere®Pak system alone, without the app or digital feedback.

Participants are asked to simulate taking a placebo tablet twice daily for eight weeks by pushing tablets out of the blister pack (without ingesting them). The study measures usability through questionnaires, medication-taking behavior through electronic monitoring and pill counts, and collects feedback through short interviews.

This study will help determine how acceptable and usable this technology is, and whether the mobile app adds value in supporting consistent medication use.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Volunteer Study Behavior Health Behavior Medication Adherence Patient Acceptance of Health Care Patient Compliance Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)

Groningen, Provincie Groningen, 9713 GZ, Netherlands

About this study

This randomized controlled pilot study investigates the usability and feasibility of the Cere®Pak smart blister system, with and without integration of the MEMS® Mobile smartphone application, in healthy adult volunteers. The study evaluates whether the addition of a mobile app improves the user experience and adherence behavior compared to the use of the smart blister pack alone.

Cere®Pak is an electronic blister system that automatically logs the date and time of each dose dispensed. The MEMS® Mobile app connects with the blister pack via near-field communication (NFC), enabling users to receive reminders, view their adherence data, and manually edit dosing events if needed. The app is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and allows users to activate or deactivate features such as notifications and data visualization.

Participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel arms:

  • Intervention Group (Arm 1): participants use the Cere®Pak system in combination with the MEMS® Mobile app.
  • Control Group (Arm 2): participants use the Cere®Pak system without app support (i.e., no reminders or adherence feedback).

The study runs over an 8-week period. Participants receive four 28-count placebo blister packs, simulating a twice-daily medication regimen. They are instructed to push out tablets at the designated times, but not to ingest them. Data on blister openings are recorded electronically. App users are instructed to scan the pack regularly to synchronize data.

Primary outcomes include: The System usability, assessed via the System Usability Scale (SUS), a 10-item validated questionnaire. Additionally, qualitative user feedback collected via semi-structured interviews.

Secondary outcomes include: Medication adherence based on electronic records (raw and adjusted for technical malfunctions). Secondly, adherence verification via manual pill counts at the end of the follow-up period. Finally, app usage data (e.g., scan frequency, use of editing function, reminder engagement).

The study also includes technical performance monitoring. Device malfunctions (e.g., battery failures, sensor disconnection) are logged and excluded from adherence calculations when relevant.

This trial uses a mixed-methods approach to evaluate both objective outcomes and subjective user experience. The results will inform future implementation of smart medication packaging systems and the role of app-based feedback in promoting adherence.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18 years or older
  • Able to read and understand English
  • Owns a compatible smartphone (iOS version ≥13 or Android version ≥8)
  • Willing and able to use a smart blister pack system for 8 weeks
  • Provides informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe physical or cognitive limitations that interfere with the use of blister packaging or smartphone apps
  • Known allergy or sensitivity to the materials in the blister packaging (even though tablets are not ingested)
  • Serious health conditions that significantly limit daily functioning

Treatment and study plan

MEMS® Mobile smartphone application

Device

The MEMS® Mobile app is a smartphone application that connects to the Cere®Pak smart blister pack via near-field communication (NFC). It allows participants to view their medication intake history, receive optional reminders, and manually edit or confirm recorded dosing events. The app is installed on the participant's own smartphone (iOS or Android) and used throughout the 8-week study period. Participants are encouraged to scan their blister at least once daily to synchronize data. This intervention is for the Arm 1 group only.

Cere®Pak smart blister pack

Device

The Cere®Pak is an electronic blister pack with 28 cavities containing placebo tablets. It automatically records the date and time when each cavity is opened, using embedded electronics. Participants are instructed to simulate a twice-daily medication schedule (morning and evening) for 8 weeks by pushing out tablets without ingesting them. The device functions independently in the control group and connects with the MEMS® Mobile app in the intervention group. Both arms work with this intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. System Usability Score (SUS)

    Time frame: Week 8 (end of study participation)

    Usability of the smart blister system will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), a validated 10-item questionnaire measuring perceived ease of use, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Participants in both study arms will complete the SUS at the end of the 8-week study period. Units: Score from 0 to 100 (higher = better usability)

  2. Qualitative User Experience Feedback

    Time frame: Week 8

    Participants will complete a semi-structured interview at the end of the study to explore their experience using the smart blister system, perceived usefulness, ease of integration into daily life, and suggestions for improvement. Transcripts will be analyzed thematically.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Medication Adherence (Digital Measurement)

    Time frame: Cumulative over the 8-week study period

    Medication adherence will be calculated as the proportion of scheduled doses registered by the smart blister system. Days with device malfunction will be excluded from analysis. Adherence will be expressed as the percentage of recorded doses versus expected doses over 8 weeks. Units: Percentage (%).

  2. Medication Adherence (Manual Pill Count)

    Time frame: Week 8 (final visit)

    Adherence will also be assessed through manual pill counts of returned blister packs at the final study visit. The number of tablets removed will be compared to the expected number over the 8-week study period. Units: Number of tablets taken / Percentage (% adherence)

  3. App Usage - Number of Blister Scans

    Time frame: Cumulative over 8 weeks

    Total number of times the participant scanned the blister pack using the MEMS® Mobile app. Unit: Count (n)

  4. App Usage - Number of Manually Edited Doses

    Time frame: Cumulative over 8 weeks

    Total number of doses that were manually edited or confirmed by the participant. Unit: Count (n)

  5. App Usage - Days with App Interaction

    Time frame: Cumulative over 8 weeks

    Description: Number of days during the 8-week study period on which the participant interacted with the app. Unit: Number of Days

Other outcomes

  1. Exploratory Subgroup Analyses of Usability (SUS) scores

    Time frame: Week 8

    Comparison of mean SUS scores across predefined subgroups, including age, gender, and prior experience with medication use. Unit: SUS Score (0-100)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Medical Center Groningen

Other

Collaborators

  • Aardex Group
  • Smurfit Westrock

Registry information

Official study title

Usability and Feasibility of a Smart Blister System With and Without a Mobile App: A Mixed-Methods Study

Acronym: SMART-BLISTER

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 1, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 1, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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