Feasibility and Short-Term Cognitive Outcomes of a Synchronized Medication Tracking System: A Two-Stage Pilot Trial

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a mobile application and integrated Synchronized Medication Tracking System (SMTs) on prospective memory and quality of life to enhance self-management in individuals undergoing pharmacotherapy for chronic conditions.Materials and Methods: Fifty participants were enrolled across two pilot stages (Stage 1: n=40, Stage 2: n=10). Stage 1 engaged with the mobile application for 15 days, while Stage 2 tested the integrated SMTs over 24 hours in hospitalized patients. Prospective memory was assessed via Prospective Memory Questionnaire-4 (PMQ-4), health-related quality of life via Short Form-36 (SF-36), and user satisfaction through structured surveys. Baseline and post-intervention outcomes were compared using paired and between-group analyses.Results: Stage 1 showed improvements in prospective memory (PMQ-4: 14.7±2.1 to 12.5±1.9, p≤0.01). Stage 2 showed no statistically significant changes. SF-36 results indicated improvements in role limitations, emotional well-being, and general health in Stage 1 (p≤0.05 for each), and favorable changes in role limitations due to emotional problems and emotional well-being in Stage 2 (p≤0.05 for each). User feedback indicated high acceptability, with 95% of mobile application users and 90% of integrated system users reporting effective reminders and 80% overall satisfaction in both groups.Conclusion: The mobile application was associated with short-term improvements in prospective memory and psychosocial quality of life. The integrated system demonstrated technical feasibility and high user satisfaction in a hospital setting. The mobile application stage was associated with observable short-term changes in patient-reported outcomes under real-world conditions. Mobile digital systems may support medication-taking by improving cognitive and behavioral determinants.