A new study has found that text messaging can be an effective means to ensure patients take their medicines on time, helping save thousands of lives and millions in medical costs each year.
For their study, researchers from Queen Mary University in London tracked 300 people taking medicines for blood pressure and/or cholesterol. The participants were divided into two groups: one received text messag reminders and the other group did not.
The first group received text message reminders every day for two weeks, every other day for two weeks, and weekly for six months. They were required to respond if they had taken their medicines; otherwise the senders would call them, according to Healthday News.
After the follow-up period, the researchers found that only nine percent of those who received text message reminders failed to complete their medication regimen as compared to 25 percent of the group that was not provided reminders.
"An important and overlooked problem in medicine is the failure to take prescribed medication. The results of this trial show text message reminders help prevent this in a simple and effective way. More than just a reminder, the texts provided a link to identify patients who needed help," said study lead author Dr. David Wald, a professor and cardiologist at Queen Mary University of London in England.
The researchers believe their findings can be used by doctors, hospitals, and pharmacists to ensure that patients are following their medication regimen. It is not only beneficial for those suffering from heart disease or stroke but also for other medical conditions.
"It's crucial that heart patients take prescribed treatments to control their blood pressure and cholesterol as it helps reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke," said Maureen Talbot of the British Heart Foundation, to BBC News.
She added that although the study used a small sample, it yielded significant results. She suggested that researchers continue on a larger scale and ober a longer follow-up period.
This study was published in the Dec. 5 issue of PLOS One.