Pilot Program to Improve Statin Adherence and Lower Cholesterol in Older Adults

Pilot Program to Improve Statin Adherence and Lower Cholesterol in Older Adults

The purpose of this study is to pilot test a behavioral medication adherence (MA) intervention compared to control condition in older adults with low adherence to medication for hypercholesterolemia.

This study will answer the following primary research question:

1. What is the estimated effect size of a behavioral MA intervention on MA rates in older adults who are poorly adherent to statin medications?

   The study will also explore the following secondary research questions:

2. What is the estimated effect size of a behavioral MA intervention on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in older adults?

3. What is the estimated effect size of a behavioral MA intervention on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in older adults?

4. What is the feasibility of successfully testing this intervention protocol in a population of older adults with low adherence to statin medications?

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 60 or older at the time of study entry,
• Take a once-daily prescription statin medication for ≥ 6 months with no changes to statin prescription for at least 30 days prior to study entry,
• A score of ≤ 9 on the Short Blessed Test,
• Participants must self-administer his or her own medications without prompts from any other person or device.
• Baseline medication adherence rate of ≤ 90%.
• Participants agree to complete all study contacts and measurements, including the use of a special medication bottle with a Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) cap for the duration of the study.
• Able to open and close MEMS caps.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participant's medications are managed by someone other than the participant
• Participant is unable or unwilling to use MEMS caps.