Web Based Tools to Improve Medication Continuity in Adolescents With ADHD

Randomized Controlled Trial of Web Based Tools to Improve Medication Continuity in Adolescents With ADHD

Medication is an efficacious treatment strategy for adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however use significantly declines during adolescence when the consequences of ADHD are most severe (e.g. dropping out of school, delinquency, etc.). The Unified Theory of Behavior Change (UTBC) has been proposed as a conceptual model to explain the mechanism underlying ADHD medication adherence and to guide the development of interventions to improve the continuity of treatment. The UTBC is a well-established and empirically tested model that identifies factors that influence an individual's intention to perform a behavior as well as factors that influence whether a behavior is actually carried out. Indeed, the research team's preliminary data support the relevance of pre-intention factors and implementation factors for medication continuity among adolescents with ADHD. Currently, no evidence-based interventions target medication continuity for adolescents with ADHD. The objective of this study is to test a multi-component intervention that systematically identifies and targets aspects of the UTBC model most relevant for each adolescent with poor ADHD medication continuity. The central hypothesis is that the tailored intervention will support ADHD medication continuity. The study will objectively test the central hypothesis by conducting a randomized controlled trial among adolescents with poor medication continuity to test whether the intervention engages the mechanism underlying medication continuity and improves outcomes.

Medication continuity tools integrated within the mehealth for ADHD software will assess factors influencing medication continuity for each adolescent and recommend tools to address relevant factors. Tools include 1) a system to track outcomes and resolve uncertainty about the need for and/or benefit from medicine, 2) a module to address stigma, 3) a module to help manage side effects, and 4) reminders to take medicine and/or request refills.

The mehealth for ADHD software has multiple functionalities including 1) online training regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ADHD guidelines; 2) an ADHD workflow wizard that guides pediatricians through the creation of an efficient office workflow to deliver quality ADHD care; 3) online collection of parent- and teacher-report ADHD rating scales for the assessment of ADHD as well as monitoring response to medication treatment; 4) integrated algorithms that automatically score rating scales in real time and provide pediatricians with assessment and treatment reports as well as immediate warnings; 5) an online pediatrician "report card"; and 6) a Plan-Do-Study-Act wizard that allows pediatricians to select a practice behavior to improve based on their report card and guides them through the creation of small tests of change to improve their office systems.

Proportion of intervention components completed relative to the components that were recommended by the portal based on adolescent/parent responses to the assessment battery.

Adolescent and parent self-report on a 1-5 or 1-7-point scale, depending on the item. Items were re-scaled to a 1 (signifying less belief) to 5 (signifying stronger belief) scale. Individual items measure specific attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Items were coded so that higher scores aligned with increased perceived advantages of performing the behavior and behavioral control around taking ADHD medicine. We calculated the average score of the total items (Adolescent report = 19 items; Parent report = 17 items). Range of change score is (-4) to (+4).

Adolescent and parent self-report on a 1-7-point scale. Items were re-scaled to a 1 (signifying less intention) to 5 (signifying stronger intention) scale. Items were coded so that higher scores aligned with stronger intention to take ADHD medicine every school day, weekend day, and during school vacations. We calculated the average score of the 3 items. Range of change score is (-4) to (+4).

Adolescent self-report on Adolescent Medication Barriers Scale using a 1-5-point Likert Scale. 1 indicates strong agreement and 5 indicates strong disagreement, with higher scores indicating less barriers. Items were coded so that higher scores aligned with increased organizational skills, salience of behavior, and routine around taking ADHD medicine. We calculated the average score of the 8 items. Range of change score is (-4) to (+4).

Parent self-report on Parent Medication Barriers Scale using a 1-5-point Likert Scale. 1 indicates strong agreement and 5 indicates strong disagreement, with higher scores indicating less barriers. Items were coded so that higher scores aligned with increased adolescent organizational skills, salience of behavior, and routine around taking ADHD medicine. We calculated the average score of the 9 items. Range of change score is (-4) to (+4).

Adolescent self-report of the number of occasions of giving away, trading, or selling ADHD medicine to someone for whom it was not prescribed.

Adolescent and Parent self-report. The scale contains the following subscales: "Child Seek" (e.g. child asks for an opinion or information from the parent), "Child Express" (e.g. child expresses an opinion or information to the parent), "Parent Seek" (e.g. parent asks for an opinion or information from child), "Parent Express" (e.g. parent expresses advice, an opinion, or information to the child), and "Joint/Options" (e.g. negotiation and brainstorming between child and parent). Each subscale produces a score which ranges from 1 to 4 with higher scores indicating more of that behavior.

Inclusion Criteria: First prescribed ADHD medicine more than one year prior to enrollment Treated by pediatrician at practice participating in study Filled at least one prescription for a stimulant medication in the past year Exclusion Criteria: More than 80% of days covered with medicine over past one year Poor understanding level: The participant and parent cannot understand or follow instructions given in the study. Do not have reliable access to the internet at their home or another location. Parent will not permit their child to access the internet for study related activities Are not able or willing to send or receive text messages for study related activities