Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychological Interventions to Promote Treatment Adherence in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Chronic Illness

Objective This meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of recent adherence-promoting interventions for youth with chronic health conditions. Methods Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials of adherence-promoting interventions for youth with a chronic illness published between 2007 and 2013 (n = 23) were reviewed. Intervention delivery (in-person vs. technology-based) and outcome measurement (e. g., self-report) were examined as potential moderators of treatment effects. Results Mean effect sizes were small at posttreatment (d = 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08, 0.31, n = 23) and follow-up (d = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.43, n = 9). Intervention delivery and outcome measurement did not account for variation in treatment effects (p > .05). Conclusions The small treatment effects of recent adherence-promoting intervention (APIs) reflect the methodological limitations of the included studies and the need to reexamine the delivery and mechanisms of adherence-promoting interventions.