The Effect of Text Messaging on Medication Adherence After Outpatient Knee Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

J Perianesth Nurs. 2019 Aug;34(4):710-716. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2018.11.011. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to examine if text message reminders can increase postoperative adherence to treatment with acetaminophen among outpatients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Design: A nonblinded randomized control trial.

Methods: In this study, 187 patients were randomized to either an intervention group (text message reminders) or a control group (no text message reminders). On the fourth postoperative day, all patients received an electronic questionnaire concerning (1) adherence to treatment with acetaminophen (main outcome), (2) pain intensity, and (3) unscheduled health care contacts.

Findings: Data were available from 134 patients (intervention group, n = 70; control group, n = 64). No significant differences between groups were found regarding the median number of missed acetaminophen doses (1 vs 2.5; P = .06), pain intensity at rest and during walking, or the number of unscheduled health care contacts (7 vs 4; P = .35).

Conclusions: A nonsignificant trend toward an increased medication adherence of acetaminophen was found.

Keywords: medication compliance; postoperative pain; text message reminder; unscheduled contact.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / psychology
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data
  • Arthroscopy / methods*
  • Arthroscopy / psychology
  • Arthroscopy / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Text Messaging / standards*
  • Text Messaging / statistics & numerical data