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STudy of Asthma Adherence Reminders

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Childhood Asthma
Interventions
Device: Activated Smartinhaler or Smartturbo
Device: Deactivated Smartinhaler or Smartturbo
Other: Feedback of adherence data
Registration Number
NCT02451709
Lead Sponsor
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Brief Summary

To determine whether electronic adherence monitoring with feedback and reminder alarms can improve adherence and health outcomes in childhood asthma.

Detailed Description

This study will investigate whether adding an electronic adherence monitor to inhaled steroids, and feeding this information back to patients and families can improve adherence and outcomes in childhood asthma. The devices will also sound twice daily reminder alarms to act as direct medication prompts. This intervention will be compared to a control group in which adherence is monitored, but with no feedback or alarms.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • Doctor diagnosed asthma.

  • On at least BTS stage 2, which means they will be on regular inhaled steroids.

  • No change in regular asthma treatment in the last 1 month (on regular inhaled steroids, no change in steroid dose for

    1 month, no change in add on therapy in the last month).

  • ACQ (Asthma Control Questionnaire) score more than or equal to 1.5.

  • Can speak and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria
  • BTS stage 5 asthma (complex issues, too unstable).
  • Recent changes to asthma treatment within the last month. (see above)
  • ACQ (Asthma Control Questionnaire) score < 1.5.
  • Another chronic health condition (eg diabetes, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis).
  • Can't speak or understand English.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Feedback and alarmsActivated Smartinhaler or SmartturboStandard education about importance of inhaled steroids and regular adherence to inhaled steroids after recruitment to study. Randomized to receive an electronic adherence device ( activated smartinhaler or smartturbo - Nexus 6) with twice daily alarm reminders activated. Patient decides times, different times on weekdays and weekends if required. This device fitted to their regular preventer inhaler, patient aware of its presence and its purpose in the context of the study. Reviewed in standard asthma clinic every 3 months for 12 months. At each clinic visit, adherence information downloaded from device and data shared with patient and family (feedback of adherence data). Discussion about adherence rates, and action planning for the next 3 months to improve adherence if necessary.
Feedback and alarmsFeedback of adherence dataStandard education about importance of inhaled steroids and regular adherence to inhaled steroids after recruitment to study. Randomized to receive an electronic adherence device ( activated smartinhaler or smartturbo - Nexus 6) with twice daily alarm reminders activated. Patient decides times, different times on weekdays and weekends if required. This device fitted to their regular preventer inhaler, patient aware of its presence and its purpose in the context of the study. Reviewed in standard asthma clinic every 3 months for 12 months. At each clinic visit, adherence information downloaded from device and data shared with patient and family (feedback of adherence data). Discussion about adherence rates, and action planning for the next 3 months to improve adherence if necessary.
No feedback or alarmsDeactivated Smartinhaler or SmartturboStandard education about importance of inhaled steroids and regular adherence to inhaled steroids after recruitment to study. Randomized to receive an electronic adherence device. Deactivated Smartinhaler or Smartturbo. Device not activated to play reminder alarms. This device fitted to their regular preventer inhaler, patient aware of its presence and its purpose in the context of the study. Reviewed in standard asthma clinic every 3 months for 12 months. At each clinic visit, adherence information downloaded from device but data not shared with patient, and no adherence discussion.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in asthma control from baseline at 9 months9 months

Recorded as an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score.Mean score of 0 -7, lower score indicating better asthma control.

Change in asthma control from baseline at 3 months3 months

Recorded as an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score.Mean score of 0 -7, lower score indicating better asthma control.

Change in asthma control from baseline at 6 months6 months

Recorded as an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score.Mean score of 0 -7, lower score indicating better asthma control.

Change in asthma control from baseline at 12 months12 months

Recorded as an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score.Mean score of 0 -7, lower score indicating better asthma control.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Medication beliefsRecorded at baseline

As measured by the "beliefs about medicines" questionnaire. A higher score indicates multiple concerns and doubts about inhaled steroids.

Rescue beta-agonist useRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Question score on the ACQ regarding recent beta agonist use.

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) - % predictedRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

% predicted value compared with Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference values.

Unplanned GP/ ED attendances for asthmaRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Number of unplanned visits to GP or A\&E for asthma in the previous 3 months.

Adherence to ICS treatmentRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Electronic adherence rate as measured by the smartinhaler or smartturbo. Adherence rate calculated as percentage of prescribed doses actually taken. Adherence rate capped at 100% for any single day.

Level of maintenance asthma therapy. Treatment level (modified BTS step) at 12 months and individual change in modified BTS step between baseline and 12 monthsRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Dose of ICS

Rescue doses of oral steroidsRecorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Number of rescue doses of oral steroids required in the previous 3 months.

Asthma-related quality of life, as measured by the "Mini Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire" (Mini PAQLQ)Recorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Mean score of 0-7, lower score indicating poorer asthma - related quality of life.

Parents' illness perceptions as measured by the "brief illness perception questionnaire.Recorded at baseline

As measured by the "brief illness perception questionnaire. A higher score indicates a more threatening view of the illness.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

🇬🇧

Sheffield, Sheffield (South Yorkshire district), United Kingdom

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