Comparing Differing Financial Incentive Structures for Increasing Antidepressant Adherence Among Adults

Antidepressant Medication Adherence in Adults With Depression

The investigators will test using financial incentives by leveraging decision-making biases to improve adherence to antidepressants among adults newly prescribed antidepressants. This study will compare the effects of usual care, increasing financial incentives, and decreasing financial incentives on daily antidepressant medication adherence and depression symptom control of non-elderly adults with Major Depressive Disorder.

A three arm randomized controlled trial will compare interventions to promote antidepressant adherence. One hundred twenty adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) who are initiating antidepressant treatment will be randomized in equal proportion to 1) usual care, 2) usual care and an escalating daily financial incentive for 6 weeks, or 3) usual care and a de-escalating financial incentive for daily antidepressant adherence for 6 weeks. Study patients will participate in three assessments over a 12 week period as well as passive monitoring of antidepressant daily adherence through a wireless electronic pill bottle over the same 12 week period. The primary outcome will be the number of antidepressant daily doses taken during the initial six weeks of treatment. The secondary outcome will be daily adherence during the next six weeks following the discontinuation of the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Prescribed antidepressant
• Plan to take antidepressant as prescribed
• Working cell phone that allows texting
• Score on PHQ-9 ≥ 10

Exclusion Criteria:

• No antidepressant use in last 90 days
• Never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder
• Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• No other serious medical condition