Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Barriers and strategies to medication adherence amongst people with multiple sclerosis and cognitive problems
Sarah Thomason1, Nima Moghaddam2, Nikos Evangelou3
1Trent Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Background:
Adherence to disease-modifying treatment (DMT) amongst people with multiple sclerosis (MS) varies greatly. Although research often identifies 'forgetting' as a reason for poor adherence, few studies have considered how cognitive problems impact adherence.
Objectives:
To investigate prevalence of and barriers to adherence, including for people with MS-related cognitive problems, and to identify adherence-related strategies.
Methods:
Recruited via the UK MS Register and MS Society groups, participants completed a Medication Adherence Questionnaire and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire. A subset were interviewed.
Results:
Of 257 participants, 94 % reported being adherent, although 59 % missed ≥1 dose, and 25 % reported cognitive problems. Adherence was lower amongst those with cognitive problems, who experienced more barriers: memory problems; negative feelings about taking medication; and not wanting medication to interfere with activities. Such barriers, along with mood, cognition, and method of DMT administration, explained 17 % of variance in adherence, with intravenous treatment a significant predictor. Cognitive problems explained a unique proportion of variance; however, was non-significant when anxiety was factored in. Interviews highlighted how anxiety about side-effects and injections, and difficulties accepting the diagnosis, hindered use of reminders.
Conclusion:
Interventions for cognition and mood problems, minimising treatment burden and supporting adjustment to diagnosis, may improve adherence.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
01:30Barriers to Effective Communication I
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
01:23Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers
The capillary endothelial barrier allows only smaller molecules below 600 Da (Daltons) to pass through. It also restricts drugs like heparin that are bound to blood components, limiting their movement within the bloodstream.
The...