Mobile Technologies in Achieving and Maintaining Asthma Control in Children: First Results of MedQuizBot Chat Bot

Background. Anti-inflammatory therapy is used to achieve and maintain asthma control, as well as respiratory function indicators monitoring. Telemedicine technologies can be used for this purpose, and it became particularly essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective. The aim of the study is to analyze efficacy of the mobile technology MedQuizBot for asthma monitoring, to estimate patient compliance to use such instruments of self-control via the bot and without it, and bot's functioning satisfaction.Methods. 6-month prospective observational comparative study in patients with asthma from 4 to 17 years old was conducted. All patients were divided into two groups: patients who have used MedQuizBot and patients who have used any other self-control tools. Patients had to enter peakflowmetry data daily and undergo asthma control tests monthly. Patients were able to communicate with their doctor remotely via the chat bot. Main study indicators: determining the efficacy of MedQuizBot in patients with asthma by estimating the compliance to self-control tools at using the bot. Secondary study indicators: estimation of patients satisfaction on using the MedQuizBot and determination of level of asthma control due to the obtained data results.Results. 41 patients have used MedQuizBot, 27 patients were in the control group. Patients who used the bot more often answered asthma control test questions. Patients over 12 years old have completed the asthma control test less often than young children: ACT was filled on average in 1.5 times, САСТ — 1.8 times. 51% of patients filled in data on peakflowmetry via the new technology, patients from control group did not start the picflowmetry diary. Patients under 12 years old, who filled up the test with their parents, has entered picflowmetry data 7 times more often than adolescents. The asthma was under control in 70% of patients. The data was entered into the system 2.5 times more often during the lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic and during the tree flowering season in comparison to other periods of2020. Patients noted the usability of the MedQuizBot and agreed to use it in future.Conclusion. MedQuizBot is effective in achieving asthma control mainly during the period of need — in case of insufficient control over the disease itself (exposure to pollen allergens, acute respiratory diseases), during the limitations in medical care availability.

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Efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma

10.21203/rs.2.11196/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jiaying LUO ◽

Zhao Chen ◽

Li-li Ou ◽

Xin-yuan Lin ◽

Hai-cheng Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Test ◽

Asthma Control Test ◽

Air Purifier ◽

Der P1

Abstract Background and Objectives: The prevalence of allergic disease, which has a severely negative effect on patients' quality of life, has been increasing in recent years. Environmental intervention is internationally regarded as a feasible method for controlling asthma. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma. Methods: In total, 38 subjects were divided into a treatment group and a control group. All subjects were under the age of eighteen years and had been clinically diagnosed with allergic asthma. The treatment group used High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air purifiers for six consecutive months, and the control group did not use the air filters. Particulate matter (PM) data and dust samples (bedding and a static point) were collected from the subjects' bedrooms before they started to use the air purifiers and each month thereafter. Simultaneously, the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire for the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests were performed at the start and end of the study. The concentrations of Der p1 and Der f1 were measured in the dust samples. Results: 1. After utilizing an air purifier, the concentrations of house dust mite (HDM) allergens (Der p1+ Der f1) in the bedding and static samples decreased by 68.3% and 71.0%, respectively. In addition, the PMindoor/outdoor levels significantly decreased. 2. The ACT and C-ACT scores in the treatment group maintained a steady significant upward trend. 3. At the end of the study, the FENO levels in both groups were lower, although the differences were not significant. Conclusions: HEPA air purifiers are able to decrease indoor HDM allergen and PM levels and improve quality of life in allergic asthma patients.

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Efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma

Allergologia et Immunopathologia ◽

10.15586/aei.v49i5.146 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (5) ◽

pp. 16-24

Author(s):

Jia-ying Luo ◽

Ou Li-li ◽

Ma Jing ◽

Lin Xin-yuan ◽

Fan Li-min ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Asthma Control ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Test ◽

Asthma Control Test ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

Air Purifier ◽

Der P1

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of air purifier therapy for patients with allergic asthma.Methods: Thirty-eight subjects were categorized under two groups namely treatment group and control group. All subjects were under 18 years of age and they had been clinically diagnosed with allergic asthma. The treatment group used high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers for six consecutive months, and the control group did not use the air filters.Particulate matter (PM) data and dust samples (from bedding and a static point) were collected from the subjects’ bedrooms before they started using the air purifiers and each month thereafter. Simultaneously, the subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire for the Asthma Control Test (ACT) or Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) tests were performed at the start and end of the study. The concentrationsof Der p1 and Der f1 were measured in the dust samples.Results: (1) After utilizing the air purifier, the concentrations of house dust mite (HDM) allergens (Der p1+ Der f1) in the dust samples decreased. In addition, the PM indoor/outdoor values significantly decreased. (2) The ACT and C-ACT scores in the treatment group maintained a steady significant upward trend. (3) At the end of the study, the FENO levels in both groups were lower, although the differences were not significant.Conclusions: It is witnessed that HEPA air purifiers can decrease indoor HDM allergen and PM levels and improve the quality of life for allergic asthma patients.

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Heart rate recovery in asthmastic children and adolescents after clinical field test

BMC Pulmonary Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12890-020-01355-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Élida Pereira Silva ◽

Bruno Alvarenga Soares ◽

Mariana M. Reimberg ◽

Raphael Ritti-Dias ◽

Karina Silva Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Heart Rate Recovery ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Control Group ◽

Asthma Control Test ◽

Asthmatic Children

Abstract Background Inflammation caused by chronic lung disease in childhood may lead to delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) however, there is lack of evidence on HRR in this population. The aim was to assess HRR after functional capacity testing in asthmatic children and adolescents and to compare with severity and disease control. Method This was a study secondary to a randomized control trial. The modified shuttle test (MST) was performed to assess functional capacity and HRR. This is an externally cadenced test in which the distance walked is the outcome. HRR was assessed after MST and was defined as HR at exercise peak minus HR in the second minute after the end of exercise. Asthma control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Data normality was tested by Shapiro Wilk and the comparison between groups was made by Student’s t test or Mann Whitney test for numerical variables, and by Chi-square test for categorical variables. Statistical significance was considered when p < 0.05. SPSS version 20 was used in the analyzes. Results The sample included 77 patients diagnosed with asthma (asthma group - AG) who were regularly treated for asthma. Control group (CG) consisted of 44 volunteers considered healthy, matched in age and gender to AG. The median age of CG was 12 (10–14) years and in AG 11 (9–13 years) being classified as mild to moderate asthmatic, and 57% of the sample had controlled asthma by ACT. Distance walked in the CG was 952 ± 286 m and AG 799 ± 313 m, p = 0.001. HRR was more efficient in CG (79 ± 15 bpm) compared to AG (69 ± 12 bpm), p = 0.001. The mild (69 ± 12 beats) and severe (72 ± 15 beats) AG presented worse HRR compared to control group (79 ± 15 bpm), p < 0.05. Conclusions Asthmatic children and adolescents have delayed HRR after modified Shuttle test compared to their peers, suggesting that asthma leads to autonomic nervous system imbalance. Trial registration: Registered in Clinical Trials under number NCT02383069 and approved by the Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE Research Ethics Committee, protocol number 738192/2014.

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