The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
Brief ReportsFull Access

Customized Adherence Enhancement for Individuals With Bipolar Disorder Receiving Antipsychotic Therapy

Objective:

A three-month prospective trial of a psychosocial intervention—customized adherence enhancement (CAE)—was conducted with 43 medication-nonadherent individuals with bipolar disorder.

Methods:

CAE modules were administered as indicated by a screen that identifies reasons for nonadherence. The primary outcome was change in adherence to mood-stabilizing medications as measured by the Tablet Routines Questionnaire and pill counts. Secondary outcomes included change in symptoms, measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS).

Results:

Participants completed 76% of sessions. Dropout at three months was 13 (30%). Adherence improved from a baseline mean±SD of 34%±27% of tablets missed in the past month to only 10%±15% (p<.001). BPRS, HAM-D, andYMRS scores all indicated significant improvement at three-month follow-up (p<.05).

Conclusions:

Although conclusions must be tempered by the uncontrolled design, CAE appeared to be well accepted and was associated with improvements in adherence, symptoms, and functioning. (Psychiatric Services 63:176–178, 2012; DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.201100133)