Motivational interviewing for improving adherence to antiretroviral medications

Abstract

Many interventions have been developed to address barriers to antiretroviral medication adherence, but few have focused on motivation, a fundamental component of behavior change. Research on other health behavior changes and a few pilot studies investigating motivational interviewing (MI) for adherence to antiretroviral medication suggests that MI may be highly beneficial by helping to motivate patients with HIV to adhere to their medications. Existing research, although limited, suggests that MI combined with other interventions is feasible and efficacious for improving adherence to antiretroviral medications. With continued development and refinement of antiretroviral adherence interventions that incorporate MI, more persons with HIV infection can be expected to choose to make the difficult changes necessary for them to benefit from antiretroviral therapy.