The eACT study design and methods: A sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial of A novel adherence intervention for youth with epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a common, chronic pediatric neurological condition predominately treated with anti-seizure medications (ASMs) to control or reduce seizures. Approximately 60 % of youth with epilepsy demonstrate suboptimal adherence to their ASM. This paper describes the methodology, recruitment, design, and baseline participant characteristics of a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART) designed to test the effectiveness of a behavioral health intervention to improve adherence in families of young children with epilepsy.

Methods: Using a two-stage SMART, youth ages 2-12 years old with newly diagnosed epilepsy and their families were enrolled. Following an 8-week run-in phase, families with ≤95 % adherence were randomized to control (education + automated digital reminders) or intervention (education + automated digital reminders + individualized feedback) arms. After three months, families in the intervention group who remained non-adherent (i.e., ≤ 95 %) were re-randomized to 1) continue with same intervention or 2) receive two telehealth problem-solving sessions with an interventionist over the next two months. Study measures were completed at baseline, 8-, 14-, and 20-months post-baseline.

Results: Of the n = 466 ethnically and racially diverse study participants, n = 268 participants were non-adherent and were randomized. The primary outcome was electronically monitored ASM adherence at post-intervention, while secondary outcomes included seizure freedom, health care utilization, and epilepsy-specific health-related quality of life.

Conclusions: Novel aspects of the trial design (e.g., sequential, recruitment of racial and ethnic diverse youth), modifications to the protocol related to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving socio-political and medical climate, as well as recruitment and retention challenges are discussed.

Clinicaltrials: gov Number: NCT03817229.

Keywords: Behavioral health treatment; Medication adherence; Pediatric epilepsy; mHealth intervention.