Feasibility of the Motivational Interview based Adherence Therapy (MIAT) with Family Support Program to Promote Medication Adherence for Persons with Schizophrenia

Objective: To examine the feasibility of the Motivational Interview based Adherence Therapy (MIAT) with family support program. Method: This pilot study used purposive sampling to recruit 8 patients with schizophrenia and their major family caregivers. These patients received outpatient treatment at the Mental Health and Psychiatric Department, Abhakorn Kiattiwong Hospital, Sattahip Naval Base, Chon Buri province, Thailand. They were in adulthood (age 20 - 59 years), with diagnosis of schizophrenia disorder within 5 years, and with a previous history of re-hospitalization due to recurrent severe psychiatric symptoms from medication non-compliance. Instruments included demographic data record form, the Insight and Treatment Attitude Questionnaire, the Hogan Drug Attitude Inventory, the Medication Adherence Questionnaire, the MIAT with family support program, and a program evaluation questionnaire. Schizophrenic patients participated in 6 weekly sessions, 45 - 60 minutes per sessiom. Family caregiver for each patient participated in 3 rd and 6 th week. Three aspects of adherence were assessed at before and after 6 sessions, and 1 month follow-up after the last session. Descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: Scores of insight into illness, adherence attitude, and adherence behavior at post-test and follow-up were significantly higher than the pre-test (P-value < 0 .05 for all). The participants and family caregivers were satisfied with the program’s activities. Suggestions were feasible to adjust the program. Conclusion: The Motivational Interview based Adherence Therapy (MIAT) with family support program was feasible for further studies with a larger sample size.