SMS reminders for Stroke Secondary Preventative Medications
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Use of Short Message Service (SMS) as a Reminder for Continuation of Treatment with Secondary Preventative Medications after Stroke or TIA
IRAS ID
167133
Contact name
Sukainah Al AlShaikh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 19 days
Research summary
Secondary preventative medications are prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke following ischaemic stroke. However, continuation rates can be as low as 50% and are likely to be multi-factorial. One factor will be patients forgetting to take the medication or a reduced appreciation of the importance of the medication as the time from the stroke passes. Numerous approaches to improve persistence to secondary preventative medications have been tried. One simple approach is use of mobile phone text messages as a reminder for patients to take their medications. In this study, we will introduce an educational and motivational strategy to inform patients about their medications and explore whether a reminder intervention, using Short Message Service (SMS), improves adherence to anti-platelet drugs, anti-hypertensive medications and lipid-lowering drugs. We will also explore whether this improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the first 3 months after stroke.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1182
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion