A real-time monitoring device that sends a text reminder to patients if they do not open their pill container within 30 minutes of a scheduled dose significantly improves adherence to antiretroviral therapy, new research presented by a Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) researcher shows.
Dr. Lora Sabin, associate professor of international health, presented her research at the ninth International Conference on HIV Treatment and Prevention Adherence in Miami.
“One of the limitations of electronic drug-monitoring feedback is that you are not able to intervene in real time to give patients feedback on how they are doing,” Dr. Sabin told Medscape Medical News.
To remedy that, Dr. Sabin and fellow researchers combined real-time cell phone reminders, triggered by a Wisepill Web-linked medication container, with monthly counseling.
“This two-part intervention was incredibly effective at improving adherence among both high- and low-adherer groups,” Dr. Sabin said.
The China Adherence through Technology Study (CATS) was designed to evaluate the effect of the real-time feedback on adherence rates. All study participants were provided with a Wisepill Web-linked medication container for one antiretroviral medication, and adherence was tracked for three months. Patients were put into two groups: those who complied with their medication at least 95 percent of the time and were deemed to have optimal adherence, and those who did not meet that threshold.
To read more about the study, visit: http://www.bu.edu/sph/2014/06/12/text-reminders-improve-adherence-to-antiretroviral-therapy/