Home telemonitoring and remote feedback between clinic visits for asthma

Abstract

Current evidence does not support the widespread implementation of telemonitoring with healthcare provider feedback between asthma clinic visits. Studies have not yet proven that additional telemonitoring strategies lead to better symptom control or reduced need for oral steroids over usual asthma care, nor have they ruled out unintended harms. Investigators noted small benefits for quality of life, but these are subject to risk of bias, as the studies were unblinded. Similarly, some benefits for lung function are uncertain owing to possible attrition bias.Larger pragmatic studies in children and adults could better determine the real-world benefits of these interventions for preventing exacerbations and avoiding harms; it is difficult to generalise results from this review because benefits may be explained at least in part by the increased attention participants receive by taking part in clinical trials. Qualitative studies could inform future research by focusing on patient and provider preferences, or by identifying subgroups of patients who are more likely to attain benefit from closer monitoring, such as those who have frequent asthma attacks.

Realising the potential of mHealth to improve asthma and allergy care: how to shape the future

“…The primary focus of most of the Android (Google, Mountain View, CA, USA) operating system asthma applications has been on patient self-monitoring and self-assessment, but there are low levels of health information quality across all applications [15]. Self-management facilitated by a healthcare professional is important for the control of symptoms and prevention of exacerbations [16]. Existing standards for conducting trials and reporting results in mHealth should be reported.…”

Theory-Based Digital Interventions to Improve Asthma Self-Management Outcomes: Systematic Review

“…However, the findings of individual studies have been inconsistent. Although telemonitoring (text messaging, Web systems, etc) was not associated with better control of asthma symptoms when compared with usual care [32], internet-based self-management support has been shown to improve asthma quality of life and asthma control [33].…”

Pulmonary Function Testing in Asthmatic Children. Tests to Assess Outpatients During the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Daily home FEV 1 telemonitoring did not reduce exacerbations in children with severe asthma (49). A recent Cochrane review found no additional benefits of telemonitoring for asthma control or exacerbations, over usual asthma care (50). Devices differ widely on their inclusion of instructive videos, graphical descriptions, and immediate feedback on the quality of the breathing maneuver (47) ( Table 1).…”