IMPROVING MEDICATION ADHERENCE VIA MOBILE APPS: A USER-CENTRIC EVALUATION

Mobile health (mHealth) applications are increasingly used to support adherence by offering reminders, tracking tools and educational features. This narrative review aims to provide a user-centered comparative assessment of commonly available mHealth apps for medication adherence. This study was conducted over a period of 6 months to use and review six mobile apps. Each app was assessed based on eight key parameters such as user interface and navigation, reminder system, medication tracking, adherence support features, data security, customization options, integration and backup capabilities and technical stability. The analysis was based on direct app usage and user experience. My Therapy and Medisafe performed strongly across most parameters offering intuitive interfaces, flexible reminders, robust medication tracking and high data security. Medication Reminder and Alarm & Pill Reminder provided basic functionality with limited advanced features. Pillo, though visually engaging, lacked clinical depth and adherence tracking. Customization and integration features varied widely among the apps. mHealth applications offer valuable support in improving medication adherence. However, their effectiveness is influenced by the depth of features, data protection, and user engagement design. While some apps excel in comprehensive support, others require improvement to meet patient needs and clinical expectations. A structured evaluation of these tools is essential for informed app selection and development.