Chronic disease management often focuses strictly on helping patients stick to their medication schedules. However, a study by Professor Karen MacDonell, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Scholar Amy Hall, Ph.D., and colleagues shows that technology-based support can make an immediate difference in quality of life, even when daily medication habits stay the same.

In a year-long trial involving 152 young Black adults, two sessions of digital coaching provided fast, short-term relief from asthma symptoms, even though medication management rates did not change. This suggests the coaching may have helped participants better navigate daily triggers or catch symptoms early.