The Effect of Short Message Service on Medication Adherence in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder and medication non-adherence remains a significant challenge for the patients and psychiatrists. The present study aimed to assess the impact of short-message service (SMS) on medication adherence in schizophrenic patients as compared with the control group. Methods: A total of 63 patients with schizophrenia were assigned to the intervention group (N= 32) and the control group (N= 31). The patients in the intervention group received a daily SMS that read, ‘‘Please remember to take your medication” at 8:00am and 8:00pm. Medication adherence was assessed by the self-report Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) at baseline and in the 3rd month, and the 6th month. Results: Patients receiving SMS had a significantly greater improvement in medication adherence compared with the control group in the 3rd month, but there was no significant difference in the 6th month. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that text message reminder for medication intake is an effective and feasible strategy for enhancing medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords

• short message service (sms)
• schizophrenia
• medication adherence
• e-health
• cell phone