Efficacy of brief motivational interviewing to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids among adult asthmatics: results from a randomized controlled pilot feasibility trial

Daily adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) regimens is one of the most important factors linked to achieving optimal asthma control. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered communication style that focuses on enhancing intrinsic motivation to engage in appropriate self-management behaviors. MI has been shown to improve a variety of health behaviors including medication adherence in other disorders, but its efficacy for the improvement of ICS adherence in asthmatics has yet to be examined. This pilot "proof of concept" trial assessed the feasibility of MI to improve daily ICS adherence and asthma control levels in adult asthmatics. Fifty-four poorly controlled (Asthma Control Questionnaire [ACQ] score ≥1.5), highly nonadherent (filled