| Sumario: | Aim: Failure to self‐administer a medication is the most common reason for non‐adherence. Dose administration aids (DAAs) are a simple and common solution to improve unintentional non‐adherence for oral tablets. They range from compartmentalised pill boxes and automated medication dispensing devices to blister packs. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the current literature assessing the impact of DAAs on medication adherence. Data sources: A search of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from the beginning of each database until April 2023. Study selection: A search strategy and keywords list were developed with a medical research librarian. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. The primary outcome was to assess the effects of DAAs on medication adherence. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the changes in any health outcomes documented. The study was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement and registered with PROSPERO (Study registration: CRD42018096087). Results: Twenty‐two randomised controlled trials were included. Median adherence improved within the intervention groups for self‐reported (95.5%, range: 88%–100% vs 84.5%, range: 83%–98%) and non‐self‐reported (88%, range: 54%–100% vs 70%, range: 83%–98%) adherence compared to usual care. However, self‐reported adherence was higher in both intervention and control groups than non‐self‐reported adherence. Measured changes to health outcomes included cardiovascular outcomes, plasma levels, cure rates for malaria, hospital admissions, venous thromboembolism, and anaemia. Even though self‐reported adherence levels were high, included studies did not report many statistically significant improvements in health outcomes with DAAs. Conclusion: The use of DAAs can considerably improve medication adherence, with limited data suggesting positive effects on patient outcomes. Healthcare providers should consider the use of these aids as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for patients who struggle with medication adherence.
|
|---|