Priebe, Stefan, Bremner, Stephen A and Pavlickova, Hana (2016) Discontinuing financial incentives for adherence to antipsychotic depot medication: long-term outcomes of a cluster randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal Open, 6 (9). ISSN 0959-8138

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Objectives: In a cluster randomised controlled trial, offering financial incentives improved adherence to antipsychotic depot medication over a 1-year period. Yet, it is unknown whether this positive effect is sustained once the incentives stop.

Methods and analyses: Patients in the intervention and control group were followed up for 2 years after the intervention. Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed at 6 months and 24 months post intervention. Assessments were conducted between
September 2011 and November 2014.

Results: After the intervention period, intervention and control groups did not show any statistically significant differences in adherence, neither in the first 6 months
(71% and 77%, respectively) nor in the following 18 months (68%, 74%). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes, that is, adherence ≥95% and untoward incidents either.

Conclusions: It may be concluded that incentives to improve adherence to antipsychotic maintenance medication are effective only for as long as they are provided. Once they are stopped, adherence returns to approximately baseline level with no sustained benefit.

Trial registration number: ISRCTN77769281.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Primary Care and Public Health
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > RA0440 Study and teaching. Research
Depositing User:	Phoenix Marshall
Date Deposited:	27 Sep 2016 11:17
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2017 05:43
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/63617

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update