Reinforcing Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications. Issue 1 (21st November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petry, Nancy M.; Alessi, Sheila M.; Byrne, Shannon; White, William B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical hypertension. Volume 17:Issue 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2014-11-21
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132
• DOI: 10.1111/jch.12441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-6175

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jch12441-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This pilot study evaluated a reinforcement intervention to improve adherence to antihypertensive therapy. Twenty‐nine participants were randomized to standard care or standard care plus financial reinforcement for 12 weeks. Participants in the reinforcement group received a cell phone to self‐record videos of adherence, for which they earned rewards. These participants sent videos demonstrating on‐time adherence 97.8% of the time. Pill count adherence differed significantly between the groups during treatment, with 98.8%±1.5% of pills taken during treatment in the reinforcement condition vs 92.6%±9.2% in standard care (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.002). Benefits persisted throughout a 3‐month follow‐up, with 93.8%±9.3% vs 78.0%±18.5% of pills taken (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.001). Pill counts correlated significantly (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.001) with self‐reports of adherence, which also differed between groups over time (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.01). Systolic blood pressure decreased modestly over time in participants overall (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.01) but without significant time‐by‐group effects. These results suggest that reinforcing medication adherence via cellular phone technology and financial reinforcement holds potential to improve adherence.</p> </abstract>