MedPath

Comparison of 3 Methods to Assess Inhalation Technique

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Asthma
COPD
Interventions
Other: Assessment of inhalation technique
Registration Number
NCT04349735
Lead Sponsor
Medical University of Warsaw
Brief Summary

A significant percentage of patients with asthma and COPD do not use their inhalers properly. Experts recommend that in patients with obstructive lung diseases, inhalation technique and patient adherence should be evaluated at every visit. The assessment of inhalation skills depends on the method of evaluation. There are few different methods of assessment of inhalation technique, however none of them is recommended as the most accurate.

Therefore, the aim of the study is:

1. to compare three different methods of assessment of inhalation technique in patients with asthma and COPD.

These methods include:

1. Checklist of mistakes in inhalation technique (including critical mistakes)

2. 4 grade scale of inhalation technique

3. Assessment by Vitalograph®AIM (Aerosol Inhaling Monitor)

2. to analyze the influence of Vitalograph®AIM based inhalation technique training on inhalation skills

One hundred and thirty patients with asthma or COPD, who use inhaled medication on a regular basis will be enrolled. Inhalation technique will be evaluated by two observers independently at the same time with all three methods (checklist, 4 grade scale, Vitalograph®AIM). To compare these methods, the investigators will analyze method reliability and validity. Additionally, inhalation technique will be evaluated 30 minutes after Vitalograph®AIM based training to analyze the potential benefit of its application in practicing inhalation skills.

Detailed Description

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common respiratory diseases. Inhaled therapy is the cornerstone of treatment in these two diseases. However, a significant proportion of patients with asthma and COPD do not use their inhalers properly. Experts recommend that in patients with obstructive lung diseases, inhalation technique and patient adherence should be evaluated at every visit, particularly before introducing changes to the patient's inhalation therapy. The assessment of inhalation skills depends on the method of evaluation. There are few different methods of assessment of inhalation technique, however, none of these methods is recommended as the most accurate.

Therefore, the aim of the study is:

1. to compare three different methods of assessment of inhalation technique in patients with asthma and COPD.

These methods include:

1. Checklist of mistakes in inhalation technique (including critical mistakes)

2. 4 grade scale of inhalation technique

3. Assessment by Vitalograph®AIM (Aerosol Inhaling Monitor)

2. to analyze an influence of using Vitalograph®AIM based inhalation technique training on inhalation skills.

Type of study: prospective, interventional, without randomization. Patients with asthma or COPD treated in hospital or in an out-patient clinic will be asked to participate in the study.

Study design One hundred and thirty patients with asthma or COPD, who use inhaled medication on a regular basis will be enrolled. Inhalation technique will be evaluated by two observers independently at the same time with all three methods (checklist, 4 grade scale, Vitalograph®AIM). To compare these methods, the investigators will analyze method reliability and validity. The reference assessment will be performed by two experienced pulmonologists.

Additionally, inhalation technique will be evaluated 30 minutes after Vitalograph®AIM based training to analyze the potential benefit of its application in practicing inhalation skills.

Outcomes

1. Comparison of three different methods of assessment of inhalation technique in patients with asthma and COPD (reliability, validity and accuracy)

2. Difference in the number of mistakes made during inhalation before and after the Vitalograph® AIM based training.

Investigators expect that results of this study will allow to identify the most accurate method for assessment of inhalation technique. Furthermore, the impact of Vitalograph®AIM based training on inhalation skills will be assessed..

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
120
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Adults with asthma or COPDAssessment of inhalation techniqueAssessment of inhalation technique by three methods in all patients
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comparison of validity of assessment of inhalation technique by 4 grade scale in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline

Assessment of validity of 4 grade scale measured by convergence between observer and an expert baseline by kappa Cohen coefficient

Comparison of reliability of assessment of inhalation technique by checklist method in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline

Assessment of reliability of checklist method measured by 2 observers by kappa Cohen coefficient

Comparison of reliability of assessment of inhalation technique by 4 grade scale in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline

Assessment of reliability of 4 grade scale measured by 2 observers by kappa Cohen coefficient

Comparison of validity of assessment of inhalation technique by checklist method in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline

Assessment of validity of checklist method measured by convergence between observer and an expert baseline by kappa Cohen coefficient

Comparison of validity of assessment of inhalation technique by Vitalograph®AIM in patients with asthma and COPD30 minutes from baseline

Assessment of validity of Vitalograph®AIM method (convergence between assessment of Vitalograph®AIM and an expert)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Comparison of repeatability of assessment of inhalation technique by checklist method in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline and in 30 minutes

Assessment of reliability of checklist method measured by 1 observer baseline and in 30 minutes by kappa Cohen coefficient

Comparison of repeatability of assessment of inhalation technique by 4 grade scale in patients with asthma and COPDbaseline and in 30 minutes

Assessment of reliability of 4 grade scale measured by 1 observer baseline and in 30 minutes by kappa Cohen coefficient

Utility of Vitalograph® AIM in inhalation technique trainingbaseline and in 30 minutes

Difference in number of inhalation mistakes before and after Vitalograph® AIM based training

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Internal Medicine, Pneumonology and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw

🇵🇱

Warsaw, Poland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath