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

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.

Conditions

• Asthma in Children

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Happyair Ecosystem

Happyair Ecosystem is a Smart Community for the integral care of patients with chronic or rare respiratory diseases such as Asthma, COPD or Alfa-1. Our community provides online \& offline training and resources in digital health and social care to patients, family, caregivers, healthcare professionals and researchers. Using our platform, all of our members will be able to connect in order to improve the health and well-being of patients, learn to manage self-care, ensure an active lifestyle, and contribute to the development of current and future research projects.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Vall d'Hebron

  collaborator OTHER

• Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau

  collaborator OTHER

• Hospital Universitari Parc Salut Mar

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Corporacion Parc Tauli

  collaborator OTHER

• Lovexair Foundation

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-09-01

Primary Completion

2023-05-30

Completion

2024-05-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations