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A MHealth Intervention to Improve Symptom Control in Children and Adolescents with Difficult-to-control Asthma

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Asthma in Children
Registration Number
NCT04166344
Lead Sponsor
Lovexair Foundation
Brief Summary

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease worldwide. Despite advances in asthma management, control of the disease is still a challenge especially among children. Information and communications technology (ICT) have been recently used in clinical practice to increase awareness of diseases, encourage patients to engage in the management of their conditions and improve monitoring and surveillance. The investigators of this study will test a new digital platform combining online/offline content aimed to improve asthma control and reduce exacerbations and unnecessary consultations in children with difficult-to-control asthma. A randomised controlled trial enrolling 60 patients allocated in two groups has been designed. The intervention group (IG) will be granted free access during 6 months to a web-based platform. During this period, patient will have access to online/off line content to improve disease awareness, monitor signs and symptoms and will also get the support of a respiratory coach. In addition, patients in this group will receive an electronic peak flow meter to register daily variations in maximal expiratory flow and an electronic device to connect to their inhaler to track adequate intake of inhaled medication. The control group (CG) will receive usual care consisted of scheduled visitations to medical doctors every 4 - 8 weeks. Both groups will be evaluated at baseline, post-intervention (6 months) and at follow up (one year) in the following variables: age, gender, asthma severity classification according to international guidelines, date of diagnosis, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Asthma Control Test (ACT) score, treatment received for asthma, number of exacerbations in the previous 6 months and concomitant diseases. Exacerbations will be defined as any worsening in asthma symptoms that requires an increase in the usual therapy, an unscheduled physician visit, treatment in the emergency room or hospitalization.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • children between 6 and 18 years old;
  • diagnosis of moderate to severe persistent asthma according to the international guidelines
  • difficult to control asthma according to a scoring in the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) of 1.5 points or Asthma Control Test (ACT) ≤19;
  • access to internet and a smartphone, tablet or computer;
  • ability to understand and use the web-based platform (in children <12 years the ability of the tutor or legal guardian);
  • informed consent (by the tutor or legal guardian)
Exclusion Criteria
  • patients who have had an exacerbation in the previous two weeks;
  • patients with intermittent asthma and/or well-controlled asthma according to the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score of <1.5 or Asthma Control Test (ACT) score ≥20;
  • any neurological or psychiatric condition that prevents patients to use adequately the platform.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Differences in asthma control inter-group12 months

Differences in asthma control (score) will be calculated according to the Asthma Control Test (ACT) in comparison with the control group. The ACT consists of five items that are rated according to a five-point scale where where 1 means poor control and 5 indicates better asthma control.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Inclusion rates (feasibility)Baseline

Total number of patients recruited which consented from those eligible

Completion rates12 months

Total number of patients who completed the interventions from those who were recruited

Incidence of exacerbations12 months

Number of exacerbations (events) in a year in both groups. Exacerbations will be defined as any worsening in asthma symptoms that requires an increase in the usual therapy, an unscheduled physician visit, treatment in the emergency room or hospitalization.

Changes in lung function (FEV1)12 Months

Lung function will be assessed by recording the Forced Expiratory Volume in the 1st second during a forced spirometry test.

Changes in lung function (PEF)12 Months

Peak Expiratory flow will be recorded during a forced spirometry test to determine maximum expiratory flow as an indirect way of monitoring airway inflammation as well as asthma control over time.

Trial Locations

Locations (4)

Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí

🇪🇸

Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain

Hospital del Mar

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí
🇪🇸Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
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