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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jul;38(6):605-16.
doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jst021. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

Preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of an innovative adherence intervention for children with newly diagnosed epilepsy

Avani C Modi  1 , Shanna M Guilfoyle, Joseph Rausch
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of an innovative adherence intervention for children with newly diagnosed epilepsy

Avani C Modi et al. J Pediatr Psychol. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To report acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy from a randomized controlled trial of a family-tailored adherence intervention (AI) targeting nonadherence to antiepileptic drugs in pediatric new-onset epilepsy.

Method: 30 children with new-onset epilepsy (7.2 ± 3.1 years old, 47% male) and their caregivers participated. At baseline, participants were given adherence electronic monitors. After a 1-month run-in period, participants with good adherence (≥90%) were monitored. Participants with adherence <90% were randomized to the AI or Treatment-As-Usual (TAU) group. The AI group received four adherence promotion intervention sessions over >2 months. Follow-up adherence data were collected.

Results: 8 families were randomized (AI, n = 4; TAU, n = 4). Families perceived AI to be feasible and acceptable. Preliminary results demonstrated that the AI group had improved adherence from baseline to post-test.

Conclusions: A family-tailored AI appears promising and needs to be tested with a larger pediatric epilepsy sample.

Keywords: adherence; chronic illness; neurological disorders; randomized controlled trial.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(a) Change in adherence over time: Adherence Intervention families, (b) Treatment-As-Usual families, (c) Near-Perfect families, and (d) group means.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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