Motivational Enhancement Therapy: A New Way to Improve Patient Compliance with PAP Treatment

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) improves adherence to Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) treatment in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) using specific behavioral interventions and theories about behavior change. Briefly, patients are approached in a non-directive manner with knowledge and acceptance that they might be ambivalent about making a commitment to the treatment. The goal is to promote patient thought about the treatment ambivalence the patient might be feeling and sway the decisional balance toward the benefits of using the treatment. Enhancing self-confidence about therapy use is a strong predictor of long-term adherence. (1) Studies corroborate that MET can be an effective method to improve PAP adherence, especially in patients who do not have a profound negative response to PAP.
 

1. Define Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
2. List predictors of adherence to PAP therapy.
3. Discuss the theories of behavior change along with Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) technique and rationale.
4. Discuss when to implement MET and the use of therapeutic response with examples.