Impact of advanced patient counseling using a training device and smartphone application on asthma control

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are among the most commonly used aerosol delivery devices. Poor lung deposition from a pMDI is often a result of incorrect inhalation technique. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of combining a newly released training device with a smartphone application (advanced counseling) in asthma control to the impact of traditional verbal training. METHODS: A total of 371 subjects with asthma were divided into 2 groups: advanced counseling (n =187) and verbal counseling (n = 184). Both groups had 3 visits, each meeting being a month apart. At each visit, lung function (ie, FEV1, ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC], and peak expiratory flow) were measured, an asthma control test was given, and subjects were trained in the correct inhalation technique. Inhalation flow through the pMDI was also recorded at each visit because the correct pMDI technique requires an inspiratory flow of < 60 L/min. RESULTS: In the advanced counseling group, lung function significantly improved after both the first and the second visit (P < .001), whereas in the verbal group, lung function improved significantly only after the second visit (P < .001). Although the inspiratory flow through the pMDI improved significantly in both groups, it was closest to the target range in the advanced counseling group. In addition, more subjects in the advanced counseling group had monthly increases of > 3 points in their asthma control test scores compared to the verbal counseling group. CONCLUSION: The use of a training device with a smartphone application in conjunction with traditional verbal counseling in pMDI technique resulted in significant improvements in asthma control compared to traditional verbal counseling in pMDI technique alone.