Brief interventions for improving adherence in schizophrenia: A pilot study using electronic medication event monitoring

Abstract

Poor medication adherence remains frequent in schizophrenia. The present study examined the efficacy of two month-long pilot interventions using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®). Thirty-three outpatients at high risk for relapse were randomized to receive a smartphone-based intervention, a nurse-based intervention, or treatment as usual. All patients then used the MEMS® to objectively measure medication adherence over six months. No differences were observed in adherence measures or relapse rates across the three groups. When using electronic medication monitoring as an objective measure of adherence, easily-implemented interventions may not significantly improve adherence in patients at high risk for relapse.

Keywords: Electronic monitoring; Intervention; Medication adherence; Medication event monitoring system; Non-adherence; Schizophrenia.