Peer Reviewed Compliance Studies

HIV/AIDS

Study Title
The Use of Cell Phone Reminder Calls for Assisting HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults to Adhere to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Pilot Study

Study Group
Cohort Prospective

Reminder Type
Phone

Summary
In the first 4 weeks of the study, when calls were daily, very few phone calls or medications were reported missed. In the following 4 weeks, when calls were tapered to weekdays only, few calls and few medications were missed. Overall, the subjects who did not experience institutionalization or major chaotic life changes did very well receiving phone calls, and did well with adherence to medication doses.

Citation
Puccio, Joseph A., M.D.; Belzer, Marvin, M.D.; Olson, Johanna, M.D.; Martinez, Miguel M.P.H.; Salata, Cathy, R.N.; Tucker, Diane, R.N.; Tanaka, Diane, M.D., “The Use of Cell Phone Reminder Calls for Assisting HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults to Adhere to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: A Pilot Study,” AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 20(6) ( 2006); 438-444.
http://direct.bl.uk/bld/PlaceOrder.do?UIN=189507263&ETOC=RN&from=searchengine

Study Title
'Simply Forgot' Is the Most Frequently Stated Reason for Missed Doses of HAART Irrespective of Degree of Adherence

Study Group
Cohort Study

Summary
Some of the most effective behavioral strategies include tailoring the medical regimen to the patient's daily routine and lifestyle. A final intervention found to be quite successful in improving and maintaining high levels of adherence to medical recommendations is that of social support, either from a health care professional or within one's personal environment.

Citation
Barfod, T., Sorensen, H., Nielsen, H., Rodkjaer, L. and Obel, N., "‘Simply forgot’ is the most frequently stated reason for missed doses of HAART irrespective of degree of adherence," HIV Medicine, 7(5): (July 2006), 285–290.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1468-1293.2006.00387.x

Study Title
Overview and Implementation of an Intervention to Prevent Adherence Failure Among HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy: Lessons Learned from Project HEART

Study Group
Prospective, Controlled Study

Reminder Type
Care partner support

Summary
Few participants eligible for the study had trouble identifying a support partner. Over 90% of support partners attended at least one intervention visit. Support partners were most available and amenable to participate early in the initiation of therapy. Participants' experiences as the 'supported' partner were generally positive. Though many participants faced barriers not easily addressed by this intervention (for example, housing instability), formally integrating support partners into the intervention helped to address many other common adherence barriers. Family and friends are an underutilized resource in HIV medication adherence. Enlisting the help of support partners is a practical and economical approach to adherence counseling.

Citation
Davies, G.; Koenig, L.J.; Stratford, D.; Palmore, M.; Bush, T.; Golde, M.; Malatino, E.; Todd-Turner, M; Ellerbrock, T. V., “Overview and Implementation of an Intervention to Prevent Adherence Failure Among HIV-Infected Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy: Lessons Learned from Project HEART,” AIDS Care, 18(8), (November 2006) 895-903.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a757706749~db=all

The Support System as a Key Type of Medication Reminder

Family and friends are an underutilized resource in HIV medication adherence. Enlisting the help of support partners is a practical and economical approach to adherence."