What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: RCT. Population: Hypertension and/or type-2 diabetes mellitus (n=224). Intervention: Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) vs. Routine mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). Primary outcome: Medication adherence (MARS-5 score) (Mean difference 0.55, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.02, p=0.023).

What does this research mean for the field?

The Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) psychotherapy significantly improves medication adherence for hypertension and diabetes, and reduces mental health symptoms, among displaced persons. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving medication adherence among displaced individuals with hypertension and diabetes.

May 29, 2026Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health0 citationsOpen Access

Effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving medication adherence for hypertension and diabetes mellitus among displaced Myanmar patients in Thailand: A randomized control trial

WLWongsa Laoasiriwong YOYe Htut Oo KSKittipong Sornlorm

Key Result

The Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) significantly improved self-reported medication adherence (mean difference 0.55) compared to routine psychosocial support among displaced Myanmar adults with hypertension and diabetes.

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving medication adherence among displaced individuals with hypertension and diabetes.
Conducted a randomized controlled trial with 224 displaced Myanmar adults receiving either psychotherapy (CETA) or routine psychosocial support.
Participants were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months for medication adherence and mental health symptoms.
Eligible participants had less than 70% medication adherence over the prior month.
At 6-month follow-up, CETA participants showed a significant improvement in medication adherence (MARS-5: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.02, p = 0.023).
CETA significantly reduced mental health symptoms among participants with elevated symptoms at baseline (-3.06, 95% CI: -5.19 to -0.93, p = 0.005).
Improvement in medication adherence was noted in both treatment groups, but was greater for CETA participants.

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=224)

Blinding

Single-blind

Randomization

Stratified randomization

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does CETA psychotherapy improve medication adherence in displaced Myanmar adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus?

Population

224 displaced Myanmar adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus and poor medication adherence (<70% over prior month) in a Thai shelter community. 32.6% reported elevated mental health symptoms.

Intervention

Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) psychotherapy, weekly for 4-12 weeks

Comparator

Routine psychosocial support

Outcome

Medication adherence for hypertension and diabetes mellituspatient reported

Psychotherapy (CETA) significantly improves medication adherence and reduces mental health symptoms in displaced persons with hypertension and diabetes.

Main Result

Effect estimate: Mean difference 0.55 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.02)

p-value: p=0.023

Limitations

Short follow-up period of 6 months
Potential social desirability bias in self-reported medication adherence
Inconsistencies in baseline comparisons between pill count and self-reported adherence measures
Structural challenges like poor access to nutritious food and lack of spaces for physical activity

Abstract

Displaced persons with non-communicable diseases (NCD) face challenges in disease management and increased risk of mental health problems.This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of a psychotherapy treatment (Common Elements Treatment Approach: CETA) on hypertension and diabetes mellitus medication adherence (primary) and mental and physical health outcomes (secondary) among displaced Myanmar adults with poor medication adherence in a Thai shelter community.Treatment participants received weekly CETA for 4-12 weeks; comparison participants had access to routine psychosocial support.Eligible participants were chronic disease patients with <70% medication adherence over prior month.Data were collected at baseline, 3-and 6-months.Of 650 adults screened, 283 (43.5%) met eligibility criteria and 224 consented (CETA n=112, comparison n=112) to participate; 73 (32.6%) reported elevated mental health symptoms.At 6-month follow-up, medication adherence improved in both arms, with greater improvements among CETA participants (MARS-5: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.02, p = 0.023).CETA also significantly reduced mental health symptoms among those with elevated symptoms at baseline (-3.06, 95% CI: -5.19 to -0.93, p = 0.005).The high rate of mental health symptoms and the beneficial impact of CETA on NCD medication adherence supports integration of mental health services into NCD care systems.

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