Randomised trial of text messaging on adherence to cardiovascular preventive treatment (INTERACT trial).

ABSTRACT:

Background

About one third of patients prescribed blood pressure or lipid-lowering drugs for the prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke do not take their medication as prescribed. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate text messaging as a means of improving adherence to cardiovascular disease preventive treatment.

Methods

303 patients taking blood pressure and/or lipid-lowering medications were randomly assigned to being sent text messages (Text group, 151) or not being sent them (No text group, 152). Texts were sent daily for 2 weeks, alternate days for 2 weeks and weekly thereafter for 22 weeks (6 months overall), using an automated computer programme. Patients were asked to respond on whether they had taken their medication, whether the text reminded them to

SUBMITTER: Wald DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4257733 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature