• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2015

In Growth Hormone (GH) therapy, suboptimal adherence is a common problem, reaching up to 82%, and there is a need for interventions to improve adherence and to maximize patients' growth potential eventually. Current studies have demonstrated the association between the rate of non-adherence and reduced height velocity. In order to maximize patients' potential to grow, an auto-injecting/recording device, such as $easypod^{TM}$, may help improve adherence and optimize the treatment effects of GH therapy. The use of $easypod^{TM}$ has contributed to high adherence rates: 87.5% and 93% in Bozzola et al.'s study and the $Easypod^{TM}$ Connect Observational study (ECOS), respectively. Improvement of adherence by $easypod^{TM}$ may lead to higher growth rates of patients receiving GH therapy. Additionally, patients' positive acceptability of $easypod^{TM}$ suggests $easypod^{TM}$ is a preferred device by patients for better adherence.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.66-75
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted to measure medication adherence and perceptions of anticoagulation therapy and its relationship to patients taking warfarin. Methods: in a cross-sectional survey, 150 patients taking warfarin who had visited an outpatient clinic of a cardiovascular center in Seoul were included as research subjects. Medication adherence was measured using a visual analogue rating scale (VAS). Barriers and attitudes toward adherence, and oral anticoagulation knowledge, were measured using a structured questionnaire. Participants' medical records also were reviewed to identify clinical characteristics. Results: About one third of the participants (30.7%) reported medication adherence as 100%. The major barriers to adherence were identified as "Forgetting the time of medication" and "Not carrying their medication". Overall attitudes toward medication adherence were high, but oral anticoagulation therapy knowledge was low. To determine the relationship of medication adherence and perceptions of anticoagulation therapy, participants were stratified into three groups, based on their medication adherence levels (high adherence, moderate adherence, low adherence). Participants in the high adherent group more likely to be older (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.005-1.071) and to have positive attitudes toward medication adherence (OR: 1.12, 95% CI:1.013-1.229) compared to the other two groups. Conclusion: The results show that age and attitude exerts significant influence on medication adherence in patients taking warfarin.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2023

Purpose: Although long-term viral suppression and antiretroviral therapy (ART) success depend on sustained adherence, adolescents' adherence rates are suboptimal. Optimal adherence is influenced by various factors. Since Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over 80% of adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and considering their unique characteristics and susceptibility to poor adherence, it is crucial to provide updated knowledge on adherence rates and their determinants among this population. This review aims to present up-to-date data on adherence rates and associated factors among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed and Scopus databases were used to identify documents corresponding to the study's objectives. Eleven studies were included in this review after being selected from among all studies that were found online from 2017 to 2023. Results: The reported adherence rates ranged from 55% to 86%. In total, 32 factors were found to be related to adherence among HIV-positive adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. These included 12 adherence-facilitating factors and 20 adherence-inhibiting factors. The most often mentioned factors affecting adherence were advanced World Health Organization clinical stage (i.e., stage IV), ART dose and regimens, a lack of support, and violence victimization. Conclusion: Our findings can help healthcare providers collaborate with HIV-positive adolescents to improve ART adherence and ensure the best possible health outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.234-242
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of knowledge and medication adherence to hormonal therapy (HT) and to identify the factors influencing medication adherence for patients with breast cancer. Methods: Data were collected from 136 patients undergoing adjuvant HT for breast cancer in 3 general hospitals from July 1 to August 14 in 2014 using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff{\grave{e}}$ test, and multiple regression. Results: The average of knowledge about HT was $5.15{\pm}2.22$ (Max 9), and that of medication adherence was $5.76{\pm}1.65$ (Max 8). Younger age, shorter duration of HT, more active participation in decision making for treatment, positive perception for impacts of HT, and stronger belief in cure were influencing factors on higher adherence level. Age, duration of HT, and perception on the impacts of hormonal therapy, and belief in cure explained 25.2% of the adherence. Conclusion: To improve the treatment adherence to hormonal therapy, patient education and involvement in decision making, and the tailored intervention for the patients with older age, and long treatment period of HT are needed. Additionally, the strategies for diminishing unintentional forgetting is necessary to be developed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2010

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer primarily affecting women and negatively impacting the individuals, families, and the health care system. Despite the well-known benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors, rate of physical activity declines during adjuvant therapy and may not return to pre-diagnosis levels. In addition, low levels of adherence to exercise have been observed in this cohort. The challenge is to identify strategies that are effective in promoting exercise adherence. Several of the studies use social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework to design exercise interventions that encourage adherence. Within and without this framework, they have implemented interventions within the home and gym-based environments. Strategies used to encourage adherence to exercise programs and which are readily implemented in most situations have included distribution of print materials and pedometers, as well as recommendation from the oncologist. Other strategies that may be less feasible have included provision of trainers, gym memberships, regular phone-calls, and psychologist-lead stress management sessions.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate for effective strategies to improve home exercise program (HEP) adherence in vestibular rehabilitation (VR). Design: Systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify effective strategies used to improve HEP adherence of patients in VR. Six databases, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PUBMED, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched from their inception to December 31, 2015. The keywords used for search were 'home program', 'home intervention', 'compliance', 'adherence', 'vestibular rehabilitation', 'motion sickness', and 'motion sensitivity'. Results: A total of eight studies were selected to be included in the review. There was 95.2% agreement between the two reviewers who reviewed the studies using a quality assessment tool. The overall inter-rater agreement (${\kappa}$=0.73) showed good agreement between the reviewers. Strong evidence was identified for 3 major categories of effective HEP adherence strategies, 1) providing patient with written summary of HEP; 2) asking patient to maintain a record of HEP and symptoms; and 3) providing tele-rehabilitation in form of email and/or telephone support along with in person treatment sessions. Also, based on strong evidence, computerized technology was not found to be superior to other strategies for improving patients' HEP adherence in VR. Conclusions: The effective strategies for improving HEP in VR include written summary of exercise, maintenance of log of HEP and symptoms and tele-rehabilitation along with in person treatment sessions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.2
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• pp.82-93
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• 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health concern. Globally, TB is among the top 10 and the leading cause of death due to a single infectious agent. Providing standard anti-TB therapy for at least 6 months is recommended as one of the crucial strategies to control the TB epidemic. However, the long duration of TB treatment raised the issue of non-adherence. Non-adherence to TB therapy could negatively affect clinical and public health outcomes. Thus, directly observed therapy (DOT) has been introduced as a standard strategy to improve anti-TB medication adherence. Nonetheless, the DOT approach has been criticized due to inconvenience, stigma, reduced economic productivity, and reduced quality of life, which ultimately could complicate adherence issues. Apart from that, its effectiveness in improving anti-TB adherence is debatable. Therefore, digital technology could be an essential tool to enhance the implementation of DOT. Incorporating the health belief model (HBM) into digital technology can further increase its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving medication adherence. This article aimed to review the latest evidence regarding TB medication non-adherence, its associated factors, DOT's efficacy and its alternatives, and the use of digital technology and HBM in improving medication adherence. This paper used the narrative review methodology to analyze related articles to address the study objectives. Conventional DOT has several disadvantages in TB management. Integrating HBM in digital technology development is potentially effective in improving medication adherence. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve medication adherence to overcome various issues related to DOT implementation.

• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2018

Objectives: Despite the accumulating evidence of the effectiveness of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome, adherence to PAP therapy is not high. Several factors reportedly affect PAP adherence; however, it remains unclear whether patients' symptoms were detrimental to adherence rate. This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between insomnia symptoms and adherence. Methods: Retrospective analyses were performed in 359 patients with OSA (mean age $58.4{\pm}13.2$ years; females, n=80). Logistic regression analyses were performed between PAP adherence with clinical factors and questionnaires, such as Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: PAP adherence was defined as the use of PAP for ${\geq}4h$ per night on 70% of nights during 30 consecutive days. The median follow-up time was 55 days (interquartile range, 30-119 days), and 54.3% showed poor adherence. Non-adherent patients showed more severe sleep onset insomnia, higher BDI, and higher nadir oxygen saturation ($SaO_2$). Patients with good adherence had higher apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, and respiratory arousal to total arousal ratio. Sleep onset insomnia [odds ratio (OR)=1.792, p=0.012], BDI (OR = 1.055, p=0.026), and nadir $SaO_2$ (OR=1.043, p=0.040) were independently associated with PAP non-adherence. Conclusions: Not the severity of insomnia but sleep onset insomnia was associated with PAP adherence, as well as depressive mood. It suggests that different interventions for reducing insomnia and depressive mood are needed to increase PAP adherence in patients with OSA.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.12
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• pp.472-477
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• 2015

Purpose: Adherence to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a critical determinant of asthma control. The objective of this study was to assess factors that determine adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma. Methods: Fifty-eight children with asthma, aged 5 to 16 years, used ICS with or without a spacer for 3 months. Adherence rates as measured from questionnaires and canisters, asthma symptom scores, and inhalation technique scores were assessed every 30 days. The degree of supervision by caregivers was assessed at day 30. Results: Adherence rates measured using canisters were lower at day 60 than at day 30 (P=0.044) and did not change thereafter ($74.4%{\pm}17.4%$ at day 30, $66.5%{\pm}18.4%$ at day 60, and $67.4%{\pm}22.2%$ at day 90). Adherence rates at days 60 and 90 and during the total study period were significantly different when measured by using questionnaires versus canisters (P<0.001, P=0.022, and P =0.001, respectively). In the comparison of adherence rates repeatedly measured at days 30, 60, and 90 and adherence rates during the total study period among the 3 groups, adherence rates in the high-degree supervision group were significantly higher than those in the low-degree supervision group ($82.0{\pm}16.0$ vs. $66.1{\pm}14.5$, $75.4{\pm}14.4$ vs. $56.2{\pm}18.4$, $75.0{\pm}18.3$ vs. $55.0{\pm}19.7$ [P=0.027]; $77.9{\pm}12.2$ vs. $59.1{\pm}11.4$ [P=0.021]) after adjustment for sex and age. Conclusion: The level of caregiver supervision is an important factor affecting adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma. Therefore, a high degree of supervision may be required to increase adherence to ICS therapy in children with asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.87 no.1
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• pp.100-114
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• 2024

Background: Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) improves the survival of patients with hypoxemia due to chronic respiratory diseases. The clinical outcomes of LTOT are strongly associated with patient adherence. To improve the adherence of patients, physicians have focused on the efficacy of LTOT. However, poor adherence may stem from patients' perceptions of LTOT. Herein we evaluated patients' perceptions of LTOT affecting adherence. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study using descriptive, open, and closed-ended questionnaire. Patients using oxygen therapy (OT) or requiring it but avoiding OT responded to the questionnaires at three university hospitals. Results: Seventy-nine patients responded to the questionnaires. The number of patients using home and portable OT was 69 (93%) and 37 (46.3%), respectively. Patients with good adherence were 22 (30.1%). Among patients with good adherence, 90.9% used oxygen according to physicians' prescriptions whereas only 37.3% of those with poor adherence followed physicians' prescriptions (p<0.01). The reasons for avoiding using home OT were fear of permanent use (50%), unwanted attention (40%), and lack of symptoms (40%). They avoided portable OT because of unwanted attention (39%), heaviness (31.7%), and lack of symptoms (21.6%). Conclusion: Patients on LTOT had the perception of the misunderstanding the effects of OT and of psychosocial barriers to initiate or use LTOT. Considering these findings, health professionals need to provide effective education on the purpose of LTOT to improve patient adherence to OT and provide sufficient support for the management of psychosocial barriers in patients using LTOT.