Digital Interventions for Improving HIV Treatment Adherence: A Systematic Review and Mixed-method Meta-analysis
1
Department Of Biotherapy, Cancer Center And State Key Laboratory Of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China, Chengdu, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A727
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Digital health interventions show potential to enhance adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV, yet their effectiveness in achieving clinical outcomes remains uncertain.
METHODS:
We conducted a systematic review and mixed-method meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials, involving 35,053 participants, to evaluate the impact of digital health interventions on ART adherence and related clinical outcomes.
RESULTS:
Digital interventions moderately increased ART adherence by 17% compared to standard care (Relative Risk \[RR] = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08–1.27). Text message reminders and multi-component interventions demonstrated particular efficacy. Despite improved adherence, substantial clinical benefits for viral load suppression (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.08) and CD4+ T-cell counts (Standardized Mean Difference \[SMD] = 0.15, 95% CI: -0.03–0.33) were not observed. Effectiveness varied by income levels, with adherence gains more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, whereas clinical improvements were greater in high-income settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital interventions currently provide moderate adherence support but have limited impact on clinical outcomes. They should complement rather than replace traditional adherence methods. Future research should aim to refine these interventions to ensure adherence improvements effectively translate into meaningful clinical benefits for people living with HIV.
Digital health interventions show potential to enhance adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV, yet their effectiveness in achieving clinical outcomes remains uncertain.
METHODS:
We conducted a systematic review and mixed-method meta-analysis of 43 randomized controlled trials, involving 35,053 participants, to evaluate the impact of digital health interventions on ART adherence and related clinical outcomes.
RESULTS:
Digital interventions moderately increased ART adherence by 17% compared to standard care (Relative Risk \[RR] = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08–1.27). Text message reminders and multi-component interventions demonstrated particular efficacy. Despite improved adherence, substantial clinical benefits for viral load suppression (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.08) and CD4+ T-cell counts (Standardized Mean Difference \[SMD] = 0.15, 95% CI: -0.03–0.33) were not observed. Effectiveness varied by income levels, with adherence gains more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, whereas clinical improvements were greater in high-income settings.
CONCLUSIONS:
Digital interventions currently provide moderate adherence support but have limited impact on clinical outcomes. They should complement rather than replace traditional adherence methods. Future research should aim to refine these interventions to ensure adherence improvements effectively translate into meaningful clinical benefits for people living with HIV.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
