title: A randomized controlled trial of the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a texting intervention on medication adherence in adults prescribed oral anti-cancer agents: study protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to report a study protocol that examines feasibility, preliminary efficacy and satisfaction of a text message intervention on the outcome of medication adherence in adult patients prescribed oral anti-cancer agents.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Administration of oral anti-cancer agents occurs in the home setting, requiring patients to self-manage the regimen as prescribed. However, many barriers to medication adherence exist: regimens are often complex, with cycling of two or more medications; side effects of treatment; most cancer patients are older with comorbid conditions and competing demands; and cognitive decline and forgetfulness may occur. Research indicates patients miss nearly one-third of the prescribed oral anti-cancer agent dosages. Text message interventions have been shown to improve medication adherence in chronic conditions other than cancer. However, a majority of those patients were less than 50 years of age and most cancer patients are diagnosed later in life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-group randomized controlled trial with repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five adult patients newly prescribed an oral anti-cancer agent will be recruited (project funded in April 2013) from community cancer centres and a specialty pharmacy. Participants will be randomized to either a control group (n = 25; usual care) or an intervention group (n = 50; usual care plus text messages timed to medication regimen). Outcome measures include: medication adherence, feasibility and satisfaction with the intervention. Data will be collected over 8 weeks: baseline, weekly and exit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standardized text message intervention protocol and detailed study procedures have been developed in this study to improve medication adherence.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Spoelstra
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Care Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Given
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikorskii
authors.affiliation: Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies (Dr. Coursaris), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Constantinos K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Coursaris
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Probability, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Atreyee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majumder
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: DeKoekkoek
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schueller
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Given
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D040421:Cell Phone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D060145:Text Messaging
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: cancer; intervention; mHealth; medication adherence; nursing; oral anti-cancer agent; randomized controlled trial; recruitment; text messaging