One-way Versus Two-way Text Messaging on Improving Medication Adherence: Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials

• Published in: The American journal of medicine Vol. 128; no. 10; pp. 1139.e1 - 1139.e5
• Main Authors: Wald, David S., MD, FRCP, Butt, Shahena, MSc, Bestwick, Jonathan P., MSc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2015; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Adherence; Clinical trials; Drugs; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medication; Medication Adherence; Meta-analysis; Models, Statistical; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care); Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reminder Systems; Text message; Text Messaging; Adherence; Text message; Medication
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.05.035
• ISSN: 0002-9343

Abstract Background Mobile telephone text messaging is a simple potential solution to the failure to take medications as directed. There is uncertainty over the effectiveness of 1-way text messaging (sending text message reminders only) compared with 2-way text messaging (sending reminders and receiving replies confirming whether medication has been taken) as a means of improving medication adherence. Methods A meta-analysis of 8 randomized trials (1994 patients) that tested the effectiveness of text messaging on medication adherence was performed. The trials were divided into 2 groups: trials using 1-way text messaging versus no text messaging and trials using 2-way text messaging versus no text messaging. The summary estimates of the effect of the 2 methods of text messaging (1-way or 2-way) were compared. Results The summary relative risk estimate was 1.04 (95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.11) for 1-way text messaging and 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.35) for 2-way text messaging. The difference in effect between the 2 methods was statistically significant ( P  = .007). Conclusions Two-way text messaging is associated with substantially improved medication adherence compared with 1-way text messaging. This has important implications in the provision of mobile-based messaging in the management of patients taking medication for the prevention of chronic disease.