# Advances in implementation strategies for treatment adherence in schizophrenia: a narrative review

**Authors:** Yan Shen, Xiaoli Wu

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1752130 · Frontiers in Psychiatry · 2026-02-09

## TL;DR

This review explores new strategies to improve treatment adherence in schizophrenia, emphasizing integrated and personalized approaches.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the shift toward combining behavioral, pharmacological, and digital strategies for better adherence.

## Key findings

- Behavioral and psychological interventions show promise but lack standardized tools.
- Digital health technologies offer new potential but require more long-term data.
- Integrated, patient-centered models are recommended for sustainable adherence support.

## Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic, relapsing mental illness where poor treatment adherence is a core challenge, significantly contributing to relapse and poor prognosis. Despite the efficacy of current pharmacotherapy, non-adherence rates are high. This review synthesizes the latest research on intervention strategies for improving treatment adherence in schizophrenia, exploring the effectiveness, limitations, and future directions of various approaches. We delve into behavioral and psychological interventions (including patient education, CBT, and motivational interviewing), pharmacological strategies (such as long-acting injectables), digital health technologies (like mobile apps, telemedicine, and wearable devices), and comprehensive, multidisciplinary care models. While each strategy demonstrates potential, they face challenges including a lack of standardized assessment tools, resource limitations, and the need for long-term efficacy data. Current research indicates a shift towards integrated and personalized interventions. We conclude that future efforts should focus on combining these diverse strategies into a holistic, patient-centered model, leveraging emerging technologies like AI and big data to provide more effective and sustainable support.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** schizophrenia (MONDO:0005090)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** weight gain (MESH:D015430), Schizophrenia (MESH:D012559), anxiety (MESH:D001007), substance abuse (MESH:D019966), mental disorder (MESH:D001523), MI (MESH:D003072), extrapyramidal symptoms (MESH:D001480), SMI (MESH:D045169), blunted affect (MESH:D014949), aggressive behaviors (MESH:D010554), psychosis (MESH:D011618), delusions (MESH:D063726), hallucinations (MESH:D006212)
- **Chemicals:** Risperidone (MESH:D018967), Aripiprazole (MESH:D000068180), clozapine (MESH:D003024), LAIs (-), Paliperidone Palmitate (MESH:D000068882)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

70 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12926354/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12926354