Effects of a digital motivational intervention on medication adherence and asthma control in Black emerging adults
Recommended Citation
Hall AL, Wang B, Bruzzese JM, Gibson-Scipio W, Dailey R, Baptist AP, MacDonell KK. Effects of a Digital Motivational Intervention on Medication Adherence and Asthma Control in Black Emerging Adults. Patient Educ Couns. 2026;154:110313.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-24-2026
Publication Title
Patient education and counseling
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether a technology-delivered, patient-centered motivational interviewing (MI) intervention improves medication adherence and asthma control among Black emerging adults with uncontrolled asthma.
METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 152 Black emerging adults were randomized to two sessions of a technology-delivered MI intervention (n = 80) or an asthma education control (n = 72), with 30 days of text messaging between sessions. Assessments at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months measured asthma control (Asthma Control Test [ACT]) and adherence (Ecological Momentary Assessment [EMA], the Brooks scale, and an investigator-developed percent-adherence measure). Adherence was the primary outcome and asthma control the secondary outcome. A linear latent growth curve model (LGCM) assessed EMA-based adherence (baseline, 3, 6, 12 months); piecewise LGCMs assessed asthma control and the remaining adherence measures across the one-month intervention and 11-month follow-up periods.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in asthma control during the intervention period (β=1.14, p = 0.04, 95% CI [0.03, 2.26]), with no between-group change during follow-up (β=-0.01, p = 0.86, 95% CI [-0.13, 0.11]). The intervention did not affect adherence during the intervention (Brooks: β=0.35, p = 0.37, 95% CI [-0.41, 1.10]; percent adherence: β=4.15, p = 0.39, 95% CI [-5.29, 13.59]) or follow-up (Brooks: β=-0.03, p = 0.55, 95% CI [-0.11, 0.06]; percent adherence: β=-0.67, p = 0.19, 95% CI [-1.67, 0.33]), and had no effect on EMA-based adherence (β=-0.47, p = 0.48, 95% CI [-1.78, 0.83]).
CONCLUSION: A brief, technology-delivered MI intervention produced modest short-term improvements in asthma control among Black emerging adults.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patient-centered motivational counseling delivered digitally is feasible and may modestly improve asthma control even without measurable adherence change, underscoring the value of communication strategies beyond medication instruction.
PubMed ID
42815283
Volume
154
First Page
110313
Last Page
110313
