Meta-analysis of psychological interventions to promote adherence to treatment in pediatric chronic health conditions

Objective To estimate the effectiveness of adherence-promoting psychological interventions for pediatric populations with chronic health conditions. Methods A meta-analysis was conducted on 70 adherence-promoting psychological intervention studies among chronically ill youth using a weighted least squares approach and random effect model. Results Medium effects sizes were found for the behavioral (mean d=.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.73, n = 10) and multi-component interventions (mean d=.51, 95% CI = 0.45-0.57, n = 46), while educational interventions displayed a small effect size with adherence (mean d=.16, 95% CI = 0.10-0.22, n = 23). Study designs incorporating prepost comparisons yielded effect sizes approaching the medium range (mean d=.42, 95% CI = 0.36-0.48, n = 30). Conclusions Behavioral and multi-component interventions appear to be relatively potent in promoting adherence among chronically ill youth. Recommendations for future research and methodological issues are presented.