Mobile phone-based asthma self-management aid for adolescents (mASMAA): a feasibility study

Abstract

PurposeAdolescents report high asthma-related morbidity that can be prevented by adequate self-management of the disease. Therefore, there is a need for a developmentally appropriate strategy to promote effective asthma self-management. Mobile phone-based technology is portable, commonly accessible, and well received by adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a comprehensive mobile phone-based asthma self-management aid for adolescents (mASMAA) that was designed to facilitate symptom monitoring, treatment adherence, and adolescent–parent partnership. The system used state-of-the-art natural language-understanding technology that allowed teens to use unconstrained English in their texts, and to self-initiate interactions with the system.Materials and methodsmASMAA was developed based on an existing natural dialogue system that supports broad coverage of everyday natural conversation in English. Fifteen adolescent–parent dyads participated in a 2-week trial that involved adolescents’ daily scheduled and unscheduled interactions with mASMAA and parents responding to daily reports on adolescents’ asthma condition automatically generated by mASMAA. Subsequently, four focus groups were conducted to systematically obtain user feedback on the system. Frequency data on the daily usage of mASMAA over the 2-week period were tabulated, and content analysis was conducted for focus group interview data.ResultsResponse rates for daily text messages were 81%–97% in adolescents. The average number of self-initiated messages to mASMAA was 19 per adolescent. Symptoms were the most common topic of teen-initiated messages. Participants concurred that use of mASMAA improved awareness of symptoms and triggers, promoted treatment adherence and sense of control, and facilitated adolescent–parent partnerships.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the utility and user acceptability of mASMAA as a potential asthma self-management tool in a selective group of adolescents. Further research is needed to replicate the findings in a large group of adolescents from sociodemographically diverse backgrounds to validate the findings.

Métodos Para Desenvolvimento De Aplicativos Móveis Em Saúde: Revisão Integrativa Da Literatura

“…[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][30][31][33][34][36][37][38][39][40][41] Developed by Walter Dick and Lou M. Carey [42][43] in 1978, this model considers the stages of analysis, design/development, implementation and evaluation.…”

“…In relation to the area of specialty of the mobile apps developed and/or evaluated, the following distribution was evidenced: oncology (hospitalbased, home-based and auditing), [21][22] 19% (4); respiratory diseases (asthma/adolescent and home care), [25][26][27] 14.3% (3); Primary Health Care (health promotion, chronic diseases and cardiovascular diseases), [28][29][30] 14.3% (3); geriatrics, 31-32 9.5% (2); pediatrics (palliative care and care for the newborn) 33,34 9.5% (2); critical-care (adult and neonatal), [35][36] 9.5% (2); kidney disease (hemodialysis), 37 4.8% (1); metabolic disease (obesity), 38 4.8% (1); mental health (depression) 39 4.8% (1); post-operative recovery 40 4.8% (1) and; nutrition (parenteral) 41 4.8% (1).…”

Electronic Monitoring of Adherence to Inhaled Medication in Asthma

“…Smartphone integration for asthma management has been investigated [66][67][68][69][70] with mixed results. One six-month trial of 288 adolescents and adults with poorly controlled asthma found that smartphone based monitoring had no significant effect on asthma control and self-efficacy in comparison to paper based monitoring [69].…”

“…This is different to an EMD automatically syncing recorded data with a mobile phone, such as in the SmartTouch AV and Propeller devices. A similar study investigated the feasibility of a text-based system as a method of generating daily reports on a patient's asthma [70]. Results showed a high response rate to text messages of 81%-97% and demonstrated that participants felt using the system helped improve their awareness of symptoms as well as promoting a greater sense of control and better adherence to their asthma [70].…”

Chinese Guideline on allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis

“…J Thorac Dis 2017;9(11):4607-4650 jtd.amegroups.com and internet-based apps may help to complete the network interactivity; particularly as some studies have shown that asthma self-management through electronic devices or internet-based apps can provide higher adherence, better monitoring in asthma symptoms, medical usage and asthma exacerbations (224,225). Thus, similar management methods could be used for AR patients, and patients with both diseases may benefit from the selfmanagement by promoting disease control, awareness of symptoms, treatment adherence, and parent-physician partnerships.…”