Treatment Adherence Research Articles

People living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibera informal Settlement in Nairobi City, Kenya: Is there any gender difference in Factors related to antiretroviral Therapy?

Objective: To identify gender differences in behavioural factors and treatment related factors of ARV therapy as a predictor to treatment adherence. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A quantitative study using a standardized PLWHA questionnaire was conducted in the Kibera informal settlement in the capital, Nairobi, Kenya. Data were collected by community health volunteers during home visits in cooperation with ART health facilities. Results: The observed sample consisted of a total of 272 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibera informal settlements, of which 64.3% were women and 35.7% were men. We found a significantly higher rate of the behavioural risk factors cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in men compared to women. There was no significant difference in the factors of patients’ medical history between men and women. A significant difference was found in the source of ARV treatment therapy, travelling costs to ARV treatment facilities, loss of income due to visiting an ARV treatment facility and extra costs related to ARV treatment between the men and women in our study group. Another significant difference was observed in disclosure related factors - the HIV status of the current sexual partner, and the current sexual partner being on ARV therapy and disclosing this information to the current sexual partner. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking and smoking cigarettes were the most common behavioural risk factors and were more prevalent in men. Women significantly dominated in treatment related factors of ARV therapy.

Combined LT3 and LT4 therapy for precision medicine: easier with TTCombo system.

Hypothyroidism is typically treated with levothyroxine monotherapy. However, despite normalized serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, 5-10% of patients continue to experience persistent symptoms, raising concerns about the adequacy of thyroxine monotherapy. Combination therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine has been proposed as an alternative, but it presents practical challenges, including dosing complexity, the short half-life of triiodothyronine, increased monitoring requirements, and potential adverse effects. Moreover, there is no clear consensus within the medical community regarding the superiority of combination therapy over levothyroxine monotherapy, although some studies indicate potential benefits in specific patient populations. Genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in the DIO2 gene, may influence individual responses to therapy, further complicating treatment. To address the limitations of combination therapy, we propose a novel approach: TTCombo. This digital health technology delivers personalized doses of levothyroxine and liothyronine, improving treatment adherence and optimizing outcomes. By providing individualized, physiologically tailored hormone replacement, TTCombo has the potential to revolutionize hypothyroidism management and enhance patient quality of life.

Safety behavior reduction for appearance concerns: A randomized controlled trial of a smartphone-based intervention.

Appearance concerns are a core feature of multiple psychiatric disorders (i.e., body dysmorphic disorder, eating disorders, and social anxiety disorders). Individuals with these concerns commonly engage in appearance-related safety behaviors (ARSB), behaviors intended to avoid, prevent, or manage the negative evaluation of one's physical appearance. The present study evaluated a brief ARSB reduction intervention for appearance concerns. Women with elevated appearance concerns (N = 203) were recruited from across the United States and randomized to receive one of two 1-month smartphone-based interventions targeting ARSBs or unhealthy behaviors (UHBs). Both consisted of daily text messages with links to behavior checklists and reminders to avoid the respective behaviors. Participants in both treatments saw substantial reductions in symptoms. Though the UHB fading condition showed significantly better treatment adherence than ARSB fading, ARSB fading led to significantly lower appearance concerns (sr² = .028, p = .014) and eating disorder symptoms (sr² = .024, p = .020) at posttreatment, and lower appearance concerns (sr² = .041, p = .004), eating disorder symptoms (sr² = .029, p = .006), social anxiety (sr² = .048, p = .005), and appearance importance at 1-month follow-up (sr² = .042, p = .011), relative to UHB fading. Changes in ARSBs were found to partially mediate the effect of treatment on appearance concerns. These preliminary findings provide novel evidence for the efficacy of targeting ARSBs and suggest that this text-based intervention may be an efficacious and accessible intervention for women with elevated appearance concerns. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationship between locus of control and health-related quality of life in chronic stroke patients: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionStroke is a major cause of disability in adults and the elderly worldwide. Post-stroke rehabilitation success largely depends on consistent participation in treatment sessions and adherence to prescribed physical exercises; however, factors such as individual belief about their health status often affect motivation, slowing recovery. Addressing these influences is essential for improving health-related quality of life and optimizing recovery outcomes.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional and correlational design with convenience sampling. The aim was to explore the relationship between recovery locus of control (RLOC) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among chronic stroke survivors. The Recovery Locus of Control scale and the EuroQol 5D-5L scale were utilized for assessment.ResultsA total of 69 participants were included in this survey. The mean RLOC score was 34.91, with internal RLOC at 21.16 and external RLOC at 13.77 and the total EQ5D index was 0.659. Age was a significant grouping factor, with the 30–39 age group showing a significant positive relationship (r = 1.000, p = 0.002), pain and anxiety/depression (p = .045), mobility and anxiety/depression (p = .009), anxiety/depression and self-care (p = .047), IRLOC and ERLOC (p = .013).ConclusionThe study found that while respondents exhibited high RLOC scores, there was no significant relationship between RLOC scores and the EQ5D-5L index score, suggesting that other factors may play a more critical role in influencing HRQoL among chronic stroke survivors.

The Effect of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-Based Psychoeducation on Medication Adherence and Aggression in Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: An Experimental Study.

It is known that treatment compliance is low and aggression is higher in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to the normal population. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is known to reduce relapse and hospitalisation and increase well-being in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, there are almost no studies on increasing treatment compliance and decreasing aggression. This study was conducted to determine how CBT-based psychoeducation affects medication adherence and aggression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental model with the pre-test-post-test control group with 73 schizophrenic patients (33 experimental, 40 control) between June 2022 and July 2023. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPSQ). The schizophrenic patients in the experimental group were given eight sessions of CBT-based psychoeducation, while the schizophrenic patients in the control group were not given any training. The data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, chi-squared test, dependent samples t-test and independent samples t-test. It was determined that the aggression level of the experimental group before the training was 80.51 ± 19.38, and after the CBT-based psychoeducation, it was 73.12 ± 15.28. It was determined that the aggression level of the control group before the training was 84.22 ± 12.13, and after the post-test, it was 85.60 ± 11.72. It was determined that the medication adherence level of the experimental group before the training was 2.75 ± 1.25, and after the CBT-based psychoeducation, it was 3.57 ± 0.67. It was determined that the medication adherence level of the control group before the training was 2.05 ± 1.33, and after the post-test, it was 2.17 ± 1.36. The psychoeducation based on CBT caused a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in medication adherence and aggression levels in the experimental group. It was determined that CBT applied to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia was effective on increasing their medication adherence and reducing their aggression. It is recommended for psychiatric nurses to include CBT-based psychoeducation in their nursing practices in order to increase medication adherence and reduce aggression in individuals with schizophrenia. The findings emphasise that CBT-based psychoeducation increases treatment adherence and significantly decreases the level of aggression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Psychiatric nurses should include CBT-based psychoeducation in their treatments.

Investigating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Facebook Delivered, Parent Mediated, Physical Activity Intervention for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

ABSTRACT Objective Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience difficulties performing fundamental movement skills, resulting in reduced physical activity (PA). Given low PA can impact mental and physical health, improving PA in DCD appears imperative. This study investigates the feasibility of a Facebook delivered, parent mediated, PA intervention for children with DCD. Methods Parents of children with DCD (n=31; 5-11 years), were invited to private Facebook groups where physical activity resources and questionnaires were provided over 12 weeks. Parents and their children wore activity trackers during the intervention period. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention was considered with reference to (1) Facebook engagement, (2) adherence intervention components, and (3) parent perspectives. Results Facebook engagement was high, with 78.03% (SD=23.06) of all intervention posts being viewed by parents on average. Activity trackers were worn correctly for 92.45% of intervention days and 95.61% of intervention weeks. Weekly questionnaires were completed, on average, 84.37% of the time. Parent perspectives were positive, with 80.77% somewhat or strongly agreeing that the intervention was useful for themselves and their child. Conclusions Given the results described, Facebook appears to be a feasible platform through which parent mediated physical activity interventions can be provided to children with DCD.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Palliative Care Intervention Among Older or Adults with Advanced CKD and their Caregivers.

In non-nephrology settings, specialty Palliative Care (PC) improves decision-making, patient's quality of life (QoL), advance care planning (ACP), and certain indicators of the quality of end-of-life (EoL) care. This pilot RCT explored the feasibility and acceptability of a PC intervention, CKD-EDU, for older adults ≥75 years with eGFR ≤25 ml/min and their caregivers. Participants randomized to the control group received standard nephrology care and routine kidney therapy (KT) education, while those randomized to CKD-EDU received a decision aid and met with a PC clinician up to three times to discuss KT decisions and EoL planning. Patients were assessed at baseline, 4-6, 12-14, and 24-26 weeks. Main outcomes included intervention feasibility and acceptability, decision-conflict, and patient QoL. The mediating effects of reduced decision conflict on improved QOL were explored, as were the effects of CKD-EDU on ACP, EoL treatment intensity and 6-month-hospitalization. Statistical analyses encompassed descriptive analyses, adjusted repeated-measure-models, mediation analyses and logistic-regression models. Among the 127 eligible patients screened, 58 (44%) consented: 30 were randomized to CKD-EUD and 28 to the control arm. All patients completed baseline assessments, and 89% completed at least one intervention session (n=26/29), underscoring intervention adherence and feasibility. Similarly, assessments completion rates at 4 (83%, n=45/54) ), 12 (93%, n=42/45), and 24 (95%, n=40/42) weeks were high. The intervention received over 85% acceptability ratings for all questions. Patients exposed to CKD-EDU exhibited significant improvement in decisional conflict scale scores (P = 0.003) at 4-6 weeks and improvements in QoL at 24-26 weeks (P=0.02). Exploratory analyses were not statistically significant in this pilot, but all effect sizes were in the predicted direction. This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of CKD-EDU. A larger scale trial is warranted to assess its effectiveness in improving key outcomes important to patients and families.

Role of psychooncology in cancer treatment – a literature review

Introduction and objective. Receiving a cancer diagnosis can lead to significant mental distress, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive medical care that includes psychological support. Effective psycho-oncological therapy can help patients find fulfillment regardless of their prognosis, while also improving overall outcomes and treatment adherence. This article aims to review the medical literature on the mental health challenges faced by cancer patients and to explore potential treatment modalities. Review methods. Implementing Google Scholar and PubMed, a literature analysis was conducted, with particular attention paid to terms like "psychooncology," "anxiety," "depression," "cancer," "grief," and "PTSD." The period of consideration for articles was from 2017 to 2024. Brief description of the state of knowledge. Grief, anxiety, PTSD, despair, and other mental health problems can arise after receiving a cancer diagnosis. In order to improve treatment adherence and survival rates, psychological well-being must be addressed. Empirical evidence indicates that psychological disorders can hinder adherence to therapy and elevate the risk of death from cancer. Furthermore, as families often endure significant stress throughout the disease, psychological care is beneficial to both patients and their relatives. It is possible to enhance adherence and reduce symptoms by using an integrated strategy that takes into consideration both physical and mental health. Conclusions. An essential part of holistic cancer care is psycho-oncology, which enhances patients' general health and quality of life. Psycho-oncological therapy must be incorporated into standard cancer care in order to improve treatment outcomes and assist patients in overcoming their condition.

Recommendations for permanent sleep telehealth: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement.

Telehealth use greatly expanded under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) waivers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the uncertainty and limitations of continued coverage risks loss of this momentum. Permanent coverage with adequate reimbursement is essential for the long-term acceptance and expansion of telehealth services. Telehealth supports both the current and future need for sleep health management by expanding patient access, increasing clinician efficiency, improving patient safety, and addressing health care equity. Sleep medicine is an ideal field for telehealth due to limited provider access, safety concerns with sleepy patients, availability of remote patient monitoring for treatment management, and the minimal need for repeated physical examinations. Telehealth is non-inferior for delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and can enhance obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment adherence. It is the position of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) that telehealth is an essential tool for the provision of high quality, patient-centered care for patients with sleep disorders. We encourage all stakeholders including legislators, policymakers, clinicians, and patients to work together to address payment models, interstate care, technology access, prescribing practices, and ongoing research to ensure that sleep telehealth services are permanently available and accessible for all patients seeking sleep medicine care.

Addressing Shame Through Self Compassion.

Shame is a common experience for individuals living with chronic diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and diabetes. It is often characterized by feelings of stigma and worthlessness, leading many patients to feel judged and unworthy of respect, which can profoundly affect health outcomes and overall quality of life. Despite the severe consequences of shame, therapeutic approaches to address it remain underexplored. This paper highlights the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy as effective strategies to mitigate shame, cultivate self-compassion, and, therefore, enhance health outcomes for individuals with chronic lifestyle-related conditions. These therapies have demonstrated positive effects on treatment adherence and self-management among patients with chronic diseases. Therefore, healthcare providers can improve patients' overall well-being by adopting strategies from these therapies, such as using compassionate language that emphasizes empathy, non-judgmental support, and validation, all of which help reduce shame and stigma.

Cost variation analysis of disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs in Indian market

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with systemic complications, necessitating treatment to manage inflammation and prevent joint damage. In India, significant cost discrepancies exist among branded formulations of generic drugs, posing a financial burden on patients and impacting treatment adherence. This study focuses on cost differences of disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) among Indian brands and advocating strict adherence to drug price control order (DPCO) rules and suggests scheduling non-scheduled drugs under DPCO. Methods: This observational study analysed the cost of 6 oral DMARDs across 16 tablet formulations using data from National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) and DPCO ceiling prices 2024. Number of brands per formulation, cost ratios, percentage variations, and DPCO price violations was analysed. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel Office 2021, and Zotero was utilized for managing references. Results: This study highlights significant price variations among DMARDs in the Indian market, with methotrexate 2.5mg exhibiting the highest cost ratio (1:3.63) and percentage cost variation (263.6%). Azathioprine 50mg has the most brands available (23), while sulfasalazine 500mg, sulfasalazine 1000mg, and tofacitinib 11mg are among the formulations with the fewest brands (3 each). Notably, sulfasalazine 500mg and hydroxychloroquine 200mg showed the most frequent instances of pricing violations above DPCO recommendations. Conclusions: Strict regulation for price control and monitoring should be implemented since the DPCO has not yet achieved its goal of enforcing price ceilings, and non-scheduled drugs should be included under DPCO regulations effectively to enhance adherence to RA therapy.

Determinants of unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcome in Southwest Ethiopia regional state public hospitals, 2022: a multi-center case control study.

Tuberculosis is the major cause of morbidity, and it is one of the top ten causes of death globally. In Africa, the overall pooled estimate of unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcome was reported to be 21.1%, which is above the World Health Organization defined threshold of 15%. Unsuccessful treatment outcomes result in drug resistance, prolonged periods of infection, and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to assess determinants of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among tuberculosis patients in Southwest Ethiopia regional state public hospitals, in 2022. A retrospective unmatched case-control study was employed by recruiting 570 study units (190 cases and 380 controls) in three randomly selected public hospitals from 1 August 2022 to 21 August 2022. Data were collected by using a data extraction checklist adapted from tuberculosis registration logbook. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed. A predictor variable with a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariate logistic regression model was taken as statistically significant. The odds ratio and 95% confidence level were used to measure the strength of the association. A total of 561 records (187 cases and 374 controls) were included from tuberculosis registers. In this study, the factors independently associated with unsuccessful tuberculosis treatment outcome were older age (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.142, 2.472), rural residence (AOR = 1.548, 95% CI: 1.055, 2.272), retreatment category (AOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.339, 3.357), underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) (AOR = 1.952, 95% CI: 1.240, 3.071), being HIV positive (AOR = 2.144, 95% CI: 1.372, 3.349) and having no treatment adherence support (AOR = 2.016, 95% CI: 1.270, 3.201). In this study, socio-demographic, clinical, and treatment-related factors contributed to the risk of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Targeted interventions should be taken into consideration to diminish poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes among high-risk groups throughout the whole tuberculosis treatment course.

Early use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in bipolar disorder type I: An expert consensus.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are not routinely offered to patients living with bipolar disorder type I (BP-I), despite widespread evidence that supports their benefits over oral antipsychotics, particularly in early disease. A round-table meeting of psychiatrists convened to discuss barriers and opportunities and provide consensus recommendations around the early use of LAIs for BP-I. LAIs are rarely prescribed to treat BP-I unless a patient has severe symptoms, sub-optimal adherence to oral antipsychotics, or has experienced multiple relapses. Beyond country-specific accessibility issues (e.g., healthcare infrastructure and availability/approval status), primary barriers to the effective use of LAIs were identified as attitudinal and knowledge/experience-based. Direct discussions between healthcare providers and patients about treatment preferences may not occur due to a preconceived notion that patients prefer oral antipsychotics. Moreover, as LAIs have historically been limited to the treatment of schizophrenia and the most severe cases of BP-I, healthcare providers might be unaware of the benefits LAIs provide in the overall management of BP-I. Improved treatment adherence associated with LAIs compared to oral antipsychotics may support improved outcomes for patients (e.g., reduced relapse and hospitalization). Involvement of all stakeholders (healthcare providers, patients, and their supporters) participating in the patient journey is critical in early and shared decision-making processes. Clinical and database studies could potentially bridge knowledge gaps to facilitate acceptance of LAIs. This review discusses the benefits of LAIs in the management of BP-I and identifies barriers to use, while providing expert consensus recommendations for potential solutions to support informed treatment decision-making.

Pharmacovigilance monitoring and treatment adherence in patients on antihypertensive drugs at a tertiary care centre.

Hypertension is one of the main factors contributing to the global burden of non-communicable diseases. Previous research has revealed that stress, bad lifestyle choices and a lack of knowledge about the disease are the main causes of hypertension that can be controlled. The key cause behind the prevalence of the condition is the lack of medication adherence by patients. This study aims to evaluate medication adherence in patients with hypertension through the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and to observe any adverse drug reaction leading to non-adherence of medications. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 124 patients who attended the outpatient department of medicine. The descriptive tools were MMAS and causality scales for adverse drug reactions. The mean MMAS score was 5.20±1.29. Amongst the demographic profile, age, sex, comorbidities and duration of disease were significantly associated with decreased mean MMAS scores. Forty-two patients experienced drug reactions and only four patients were adherent to their medications. Our study suggests that patients were poorly adherent to their medications. Effective interventions should be considered to improve adherence in patients. Monitoring for adverse drug reactions can lead to improved patient outcomes, whilst interventions to improve adherence can lead to better blood pressure control and reduced risk of cardiovascular events.

Predictive machine learning models for anticipating loss to follow-up in tuberculosis patients throughout anti-TB treatment journey

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) in tuberculosis (TB) management increases morbidity and mortality, challenging effective control strategies. This study aims to develop and evaluate machine learning models to predict loss to follow-up in TB patients, improving treatment adherence and outcomes. Retrospective data encompassing tuberculosis patients who underwent treatment or registration at the National Center for Clinical Medical Research on Infectious Diseases from January 2017 to December 2021 were compiled. Employing machine learning techniques, namely SVM, RF, XGBoost, and logistic regression, the study aimed to prognosticate LTFU. A comprehensive cohort of 24,265 tuberculosis patients underwent scrutiny, revealing a LTFU prevalence of 12.51% (n = 3036). Education level, history of hospitalization, alcohol consumption, outpatient admission, and prior tuberculosis history emerged as precursors for pre-treatment LTFU. Employment status, outpatient admission, presence of chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis, drug adverse reactions, alternative contact availability, and health insurance coverage exerted substantial influence on treatment-phase LTFU. XGBoost consistently surpassed alternative models, boasting superior discriminative ability with an average AUC of 0.921 for pre-treatment LTFU and 0.825 for in-treatment LTFU. Our study demonstrates that the XGBoost model provides superior predictive performance in identifying LTFU risk among tuberculosis patients. The identification of key risk factors highlights the importance of targeted interventions, which could lead to significant improvements in treatment adherence and patient outcomes.

Toddler Screen Use Before Bed and Its Effect on Sleep and Attention

Toddler screen time has been associated with poorer sleep and differences in attention. Understanding the causal impact of screen time on early development is of the highest importance. To test (1) the feasibility of the 7-week parent-administered screen time intervention (PASTI) in toddlers (aged 16-30 months) who have screen time in the hour before bed and (2) the impact of PASTI on toddlers' sleep and attention. This assessor-blinded, UK-based randomized clinical trial was conducted between July 2022 and July 2023. This was a single-site study that enrolled families with a toddler aged between 16 and 30 months, living within 75 miles of the Babylab, and with 10 minutes or more of screen time in the hour before bed on 3 or more days a week. Exclusion criteria were (1) a genetic or neurological condition, (2) premature birth (<37 weeks), and (3) current participation in another study. Families were randomized (1:1:1) to (1) PASTI: caregivers removed toddler screen time in the hour before bed and used activities from a bedtime box instead (eg, reading, puzzles); (2) bedtime box (BB only): used matched before-bed activities, with no mention of screen time; or (3) no intervention (NI): continued as usual. Feasibility outcomes: participation rate, intervention adherence, retention, family experiences, and assessment acceptability. Efficacy outcomes: screen use, actigraphy-measured sleep, and eye-tracking attention measures. A total of 427 families were screened, 164 were eligible (38.4%), and 105 families were randomized (mean [SD] age, 23.7 [4.6] months; 60 male [57%]). The trial was feasible, with 99% participant (104 of 105) retention and 94% of families (33 of 35) adhering to PASTI. PASTI showed reductions in parent-reported screen time (vs NI: Cohen d = -0.96; 95% CI, -1.32 to -0.60; vs BB only: Cohen d = -0.65; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.27). PASTI showed small to medium improvements in objectively measured sleep efficiency (vs NI: Cohen d = 0.27; 95% CI, -0.11 to 0.66; vs BB only: Cohen d = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.17-0.96), night awakenings (vs NI: Cohen d = -0.28; 95% CI, -0.67 to 0.12; vs BB only: Cohen d = -0.31; 95% CI, -0.71 to 0.10), and reduced daytime sleep (vs NI: Cohen d = -0.30; 95% CI, -0.74 to 0.13) but no difference compared with BB only. There was no observable effect of PASTI on objective measures of attention. Compared with BB only, PASTI showed a difference on parent-reported effortful control (Cohen d = -0.40; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.05) and inhibitory control (Cohen d = -0.48; 95% CI, -0.77 to -0.19), due to an increase in BB-only scores. Results of this randomized clinical trial show that, supporting pediatric recommendations, removing screen time before toddler bedtime was feasible and showed modest preliminary beneficial effects on sleep. A future full confirmatory trial is needed before PASTI's adoption by parents and pediatricians. ISRCTN.org Identifier: ISRCTN58249751.

The role and value of counsellors in the treatment journeys of people with tuberculosis and their families: Qualitative insights from the South Fly District of Papua New Guinea.

Combined education and counselling can contribute to person-centred care for tuberculosis (TB), improving uptake, adherence, and outcomes of treatment for TB disease and TB infection. Though strongly recommended by the World Health Organization for all people diagnosed with TB, education and counselling is not widely implemented in TB programs around the world. In 2016, a pilot TB education and counselling program, delivered by trained professionals and peers, was initiated to support people on TB treatment in the South Fly District of Papua New Guinea. This article reports on select findings from a qualitative study that examined the socio-cultural dimensions of TB, including treatment support such as education and counselling, in the South Fly District. An assessment on data collected during 128 semi-structured in-depth interviews of the role of counsellors on TB treatment journeys revealed strong participant support for the counsellors and the services they delivered, with particular emphasis on the emotional support provided to address fears and concerns related to TB diagnosis and treatment, and to support treatment adherence; valuable attributes of counsellors; their role as intermediaries between patients and health workers; their provision of biomedical knowledge of TB transmission and disease; and their assistance in addressing stigma and discrimination from family and community. Participants also noted how tackling the socio-structural issues that drive TB transmission in people's homes and communities were beyond the remit of counsellors' work. TB education and counselling should be an essential part of all TB services to provide support and encouragement for people to continue treatment to completion.

Exploring Patient Empowerment in Major Depressive Disorder: Correlations of Trust, Active Role in Shared Decision-Making, and Symptomatology in a Sample of Italian Patients.

Background/Objectives: Empowerment in medicine and psychiatry involves patients gaining control over health-related decisions, improving treatment adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction. This concept is especially significant in psychiatric care due to the complex challenges of mental health conditions, including stigma and impairment of emotional and cognitive functioning. We aim to investigate the correlations between patient trust, decision-making involvement, symptom severity, and perceived empowerment among individuals with Major Depression. Methods: Patients with Major Depressive Disorder were recruited in the "Policlinico G. Rodolico" psychiatry outpatient clinic from November 2022 to June 2023. Inclusion criteria: ages 18-65, ability to consent, stable condition, psychiatric medication history, and recent consultation. Exclusion criteria: psychotic features, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, high suicide risk, and severe comorbidities. Measures included the User Scale for Measuring Empowerment in Mental Health Services (SESM), Trust in Oncologist Scale (TiOS), Clinical Decision-Making Style for Patients (CDMS-P), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Analysis used Kendall's Tau correlation and Two-One-Sided Tests procedure. Results: Seventy-three patients completed the study. No relationship was found between decision-making involvement and perceived empowerment (τ = -0.0625; p = 0.448), or between trust in psychiatrists and empowerment (τ = 0.0747; p = 0.364). An inverse correlation existed between patient involvement in therapy management and trust (τ = -0.2505; p = 0.002). Depression severity inversely correlated with empowerment (τ = -0.2762; p = <.001), but not with trust or decision-making involvement. Conclusions: The lack of significant correlations suggests that decision-making involvement and trust alone may not suffice to enhance empowerment. Trust may encourage patient passivity, while skepticism might drive active involvement. Higher empowerment is associated with less depressive symptoms, highlighting its potential connection with patient outcomes.

Implementing vocational rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis in the UK National Health Service: a mixed-methods feasibility study

Purpose To implement a job retention vocational rehabilitation (VR) intervention (MSVR) for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their employers in the UK National Health Service (NHS). Methods Multicentre, single-arm feasibility study with post-intervention interviews. MSVR was delivered by an occupational therapist (OT). Feasibility was assessed by recruitment rates, compliance, and practicality of delivery. Acceptability was assessed with post-intervention interviews. A survey assessed change in eight vocational outcomes (e.g., vocational goals, work instability) immediately post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Results Recruitment and training an OT was challenging. Twenty participants with MS, three employers, and three healthcare professionals were recruited. All participants but one completed the intervention. Factors affecting intervention adherence included annual leave and family responsibilities. MSVR was associated with improved vocational goal attainment post-intervention (t(18) = 7.41, p = <0.001) and at follow-up (t(17) = 6.01, p = <0.001). There was no change to the remaining outcomes. Interviews identified six themes: intervention impact, accessibility of support, the OT’s role, readiness for support, workplace supportiveness, and barriers to NHS delivery. Conclusion Challenges with recruitment, identifying newly diagnosed MS participants, and understanding the OT’s training needs to deliver the intervention were identified. The intervention demonstrated acceptability, but participants wanted it to continue for longer to address further needs.

Exploring Therapeutic Strategies for Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis: An In-Depth Comparative Review.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that profoundly affects the respiratory and digestive systems, particularly in pediatric patients. This comprehensive review aims to conduct a comparative analysis of various treatment modalities employed in the management of CF in children. We systematically evaluated current literature focusing on pharmacological interventions, airway clearance techniques, nutritional management, and emerging therapies, including gene therapy and personalized medicine. Our analysis highlights the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of these treatments through a comparative lens, examining performance across diverse patient populations. Key comparisons include standard therapies, such as CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators, versus traditional treatments and the effectiveness of airway clearance techniques in relation to lung function outcomes. We explore variations in treatment adherence and outcomes based on socioeconomic factors and healthcare systems. The review underscores the importance of individualized care plans tailored to the unique needs of pediatric patients. By synthesizing findings from clinical studies, meta-analyses, and expert guidelines, this review serves as a valuable resource for healthcare providers and researchers. Our goal is to optimize therapeutic strategies for pediatric patients with CF and ultimately improve their clinical outcomes.