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Storyline Configuration: Set Up Automated Text Message Sequences for EMA and Adherence Reminders

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Automated text message sequences are essential for ecological momentary assessment (EMA), medication adherence reminders, and ongoing participant engagement in clinical research. Mosio Storylines let you build day-by-day, timed message schedules that deliver alerts and surveys to participants automatically — no manual sending required. This guide covers the Storyline configuration page, including how to select and edit Storylines, schedule messages by day and time, choose between alert and survey message types, use merge fields for personalization, and copy Storylines for reuse across studies.

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Storylines - Configuration Page

 

  1. Storylines - Overview
  2. Choosing a Storyline
  3. Storyline Configuration Tab
  4. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 1
  5. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 2
  6. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 3
  7. Storyline Schedule
  8. Copy Storyline Button

 

 

1. Storylines - Overview

The numbered items in Image 1 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 1: Storylines - Overview
 
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  1. Storylines - Overview: The option will provide a list of all Storylines associated with your project.

 

2. Choosing a Storyline

The numbered items in Image 2 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 2: Choosing a Storyline
 
screenshot_-_choosing_a_storyline.png
 
  1. Choosing a Storyline: Once you have accessed the Storylines Overview page (or you can select a storyline from the menu dropdown) , you can then select which storyline you want to add content to.

 

 

3. Storyline Configuration Tab

The numbered items in Image 3 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 3: Storyline Configuration Tab
 
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  1. Storyline Configuration Tab: Clicking on this tab will bring you to the "Storyline Configuration" page.

 

 

4. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 1

The numbered items in Image 4 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 4: Storyline Configuration Page - Step 1
 
screenshot_-_add_storyline_content_updated_2.png
 

 

Welcome Message

To add a welcome message, specify Day 0. You can leave the default send time. Day 0 will always send immediately when the participant is enrolled in the storyline.

You cannot schedule more than one welcome message, and you cannot schedule a time to send on Day 0.

 

Days In Storyline

Set Day: Enter a number, such as 1, 20, or 95. This number is will be the set day in the storyline.  This day is relative to the participant's start date, where the start date is day 0 and counts upwards from there.

Select Time: Select the time to send the storyline on that given day.

You are allowed to have multiple messages on any given day.

 

5. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 2

The numbered items in Image 5 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 5: Storyline Configuration Page - Step 2
 
screenshot_-_add_storyline_content_strep_2.png
 

 

  1. Type: Storyline type options: Alert or Survey. Note: If you select "Survey," then a dropdown will appear for you to select which survey you want to add to the storyline.
  2. Merge Fields: Markers are used like mail merge, referencing data from your contact list. The merge fields available are listed as a marker with "%" symbol on both sides. For example, placing %ppt_id% in your message will replace that marker with the participant ID in your contact list. This will happen when a message is sent to a phone number associated with that participant ID.
  3. Message Box: Type in your alert message. Note: Message box only appears if you select "Alert" from the dropdown menu.
  4. Add Image: Select an image from the dropdown menu to add an image to your alert message. If you add an image but decide you no longer want it, there is an "X" next to the image, clicking the "X" will remove the image from the alert message.

 

 

6. Storyline Configuration Page - Step 3

The numbered items in Image 6 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 6: Storyline Configuration Page - Step 3
 
screenshot_-_add_storyline_content_strep_3.png
 

 

  1. Save: This button saves the content you have added.

 

 

7. Storyline Schedule

The numbered items in Image 7 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 7: Storyline Schedule
 
screenshot_-_storyline_schedule.png
 
    1. Welcome Message - Alert: The welcome message is always sent on Day 0.
    2. Day 1 - Survey: Survey message.
    3. Day 1 - Alert: Alert message.
    4. Delete: You have the option to delete any of these surveys/alerts.
    5. Send Time: The send time for the survey/alert; editable.
    6. Text Box: The content of the alert message; editable.

Note: You can edit the Storyline Schedule days by clicking in Day, Send Time, or content area to make changes.

 

 

8. Copy Storyline Button

The numbered items in Image 8 correspond with the numbered list that follows the image. Refer back to this image if needed as you review the steps.

 

Image 8: Copy Storyline Button
 
screenshot_-_demo_storyline__copy_storyline_button.png
Copy Storyline:
This copies existing storyline configuration with the option to name the new storyline.
Note: This does NOT move any existing participants to the new storyline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Storyline in Mosio and how is it used in research?

A: A Storyline is an automated sequence of text messages delivered to participants on a set schedule. Each message is assigned a specific day (relative to the participant's start date) and time. Storylines can include one-way alert messages or interactive surveys, making them ideal for EMA, medication adherence reminders, educational content delivery, and retention touchpoints.

Q: Can I use Storylines for ecological momentary assessment (EMA)?

A: Yes. Because Storylines let you schedule multiple messages per day at specific times, they are well-suited for EMA protocols that require participants to report on experiences or symptoms at various points throughout the day.

Q: How do merge fields work in Storyline messages?

A: Merge fields use markers with the "%" symbol (such as %ppt_id%) to insert participant-specific data from your contact list into each message. This allows you to personalize automated messages with details like participant ID, name, or other custom fields.

Q: Can I reuse a Storyline across multiple studies or projects?

A: Yes. Mosio provides a Copy Storyline function that lets you duplicate an existing Storyline, making it easy to reuse message sequences across studies or create variations without building from scratch.

Need to set up automated text message sequences for EMA, adherence reminders, or participant engagement? Visit our plans page to learn more or join our virtual office hours to see how Storylines work in a live demo.

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