A Novel Technology to Improve Compliance with HIV Medications
Vesta Brue, LIFETECHniques, Inc. (presenter); Jerome Hahn, LIFETECHniques, Inc.; Nancy Haug, Ph.D., UCSF; Richard Olmstead, Ph.D., UCLA; David R. Bangsberg, MD, MPH, UCSF

Findings Summary
To assess if electronic, communicating 4-bin pillboxes could improve medication compliance among HIV patients, 44 participants underwent a counterbalanced crossover study, with one month in each of two groups. During the Passive condition (A), participants were given masked pillboxes that monitored lid openings only, providing no prompts or reminders to dose; during the Active condition (A), participants were given fully-functioning pillboxes that signaled at pill time and displayed feedback. Data collected were automatically uploaded daily via telephone lines. Primary measure was comparison of lid openings taken within =15% of proper dosing times. Results: Although timing compliance measures are much lower overall using this stricter =15% rule, there were clear effects. For the intervention group, mean compliance was 64%, while for passive devices, it was 48% (F(1,35)=24.9; p<.0001). Compliance ranged in the A group from 33% to 97% and from 13% to 91% in the B group. Those in the AB order demonstrated better compliance (63%) than those in the BA order (52%), suggesting a carry-over of exposure to the medication timing prompts. (F(1,35)=4.57;p<.04). Important to product acceptance, participants rated the device highly favorably on a 7-item questionnaire, awarding it a score of 4.3 on the 5-point scale, with 5=most favorable.

Learning Objective 1
To measure improvement in timing compliance with HIV medications when prompted at pill times.

Learning Objective 2
To gather ratings on technology’s usability, reliability, validity, participant’s willingness to recommend and purchase, and overall satisfaction.

Learning Objective 3
To learn how the technology’s features and functions could be enhanced for greater appeal, performance, and adherence promotion.