title: A quantitative systematic review of the efficacy of mobile phone interventions to improve medication adherence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the characteristics and efficacy of mobile phone interventions to improve medication adherence. Secondary aims are to explore participants' acceptability and satisfaction with mobile phone interventions and to evaluate the selected studies in terms of study rigour, impact, cost and resource feasibility, generalizability and implications for nursing practice and research.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Medication non-adherence is a major global challenge. Mobile phones are the most commonly used form of technology worldwide and have the potential to promote medication adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Guidelines from the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination were followed for this systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Google Chrome and Cochrane) and bibliographies from related articles was performed from January 2002-January 2013 to identify the included studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative systematic review without meta-analysis was conducted and the selected studies were critically evaluated to extract and summarize pertinent characteristics and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search produced 29 quantitative research studies related to mobile phones and medication adherence. The studies were conducted for prevention purposes as well as management of acute and chronic illnesses. All of the studies used text messaging. Eighteen studies found significant improvement in medication adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the majority of investigators found improvement in medication adherence, long-term studies characterized by rigorous research methodologies, appropriate statistical and economic analyses and the test of theory-based interventions are needed to determine the efficacy of mobile phones to influence medication adherence.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco VA Medical Center, California, USA.
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9894-4039
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howie-Esquivel
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dracup
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance
keywords: medication adherence; mobile phone; nursing; short message service (SMS); text messaging