Limitations of trials included small sample sizes , short duration of follow-up , self-reported outcomes , and insufficient assessment of unintended harms and financial implication s. Current evidence suggests that mHealth tools can improve medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular diseases .
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide , and a key barrier to improved outcomes is medication non-adherence .
The aim of this study is to review the role of mobile health ( mHealth ) tools for improving medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease .
Improving treatment adherence for blood pressure lowering via mobile phone SMS-messages in South Africa: a qualitative evaluation of the SMS-text Adherence SuppoRt (StAR) trial
Background Effective use of proven treatments for high blood pressure , a preventable health risk , is challenging for many patients . Prompts via mobile phone SMS-text messaging may improve adherence to clinic visits and treatment , though more research is needed on impact and patient perceptions of such support interventions , especially in low-re source setting s. Method An individually-r and omised controlled trial in a primary care clinic in Cape Town ( 2012–14 ) , tested the effect of an adherence support intervention delivered via SMS-texts , on blood pressure control and adherence to medication , for hypertensive patients . ( Trial registration : Clinical Trials.gov NCT02019823 ) . We report on a qualitative evaluation that explored the trial participants ’ experiences and responses to the SMS-text messages , and identified barriers and facilitators to delivering adherence support via patients ’ own mobile phones . Two focus groups and fifteen individual interviews were conducted . We used comparative and thematic analysis approaches to identify themes and triangulated our analysis amongst three research ers . Results Most participants were comfortable with the technology of using SMS-text messages . Messages were experienced as acceptable , relevant and useful to a broad range of participants . The SMS-content , the respectful tone and the delivery ( timing of reminders and frequency ) and the relational aspect of trial participation ( feeling cared for ) were all highly valued . A subgroup who benefitted the most , were those who had been struggling with adherence due to high levels of personal stress . The intervention appeared to coincide with their readiness for change , and provided practical and emotional support for improving adherence behaviour . Change may have been facilitated through increased acknowledgement of their health status and attitudinal change towards greater self-responsibility . Complex interaction of psycho-social stressors and health service problems were reported as broader challenges to adherence behaviours . Conclusion Adherence support for treatment of raised blood pressure , delivered via SMS-text message on the patient ’s own phone , was found to be acceptable , relevant and helpful , even for those who already had their own reminder systems in place . Our findings begin to identify for whom and what core elements of the SMS-text message intervention appear to work best in a low-re source operational setting , issues that future research should explore in greater depth
Limitations of trials included small sample sizes , short duration of follow-up , self-reported outcomes , and insufficient assessment of unintended harms and financial implication s. Current evidence suggests that mHealth tools can improve medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular diseases .
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide , and a key barrier to improved outcomes is medication non-adherence .
The aim of this study is to review the role of mobile health ( mHealth ) tools for improving medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease .