Telehealth Technology for Asthma Management

Recruiting at 2 trial locations

Overseen By Iraj Poureslami, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Must be taking: Relievers, Controllers

Disqualifiers: COPD

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 12 months

620 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app that helps adults with asthma manage their condition better. The app provides an electronic action plan and sends regular reminders to check asthma control. The goal is to see if this approach reduces asthma attacks and improves overall health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since participants must be prescribed both reliever and controller medications, it seems likely that you will continue your current asthma medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CANATEXTS for asthma management?

Research shows that using telehealth technology, like video consultations and digital inhalers, can improve asthma management by enhancing medication adherence and technique, reducing emergency visits, and increasing patient satisfaction. These findings suggest that similar telehealth approaches, such as CANATEXTS, could be effective in managing asthma. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment CANATEXTS differ from other asthma treatments?

CANATEXTS is unique because it uses telehealth technology to help manage asthma by allowing patients to monitor their symptoms and lung function at home and share this information with healthcare providers electronically. This approach facilitates remote feedback and education, potentially improving adherence and asthma control compared to traditional in-person visits. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Research Team

Chris Carlsten, M.D.

Principal Investigator

University of British Columbia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with moderate or severe asthma who have had at least one exacerbation in the past year, are on both reliever and controller medications, and can use a digital device with internet. They must be able to communicate in English or French but cannot participate if they have COPD.

Inclusion Criteria

Must have a digital device with access to the internet

I have moderate or severe asthma.

I can communicate in English or French.

Exclusion Criteria

I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline questionnaires and receive individualized action plans and education

1 visit

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive either eAAP with weekly SMS reminders or wAAP with education for 12 months

12 months

3 visits (in-person), 2 calls (telephone)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for asthma control and exacerbation history

12 months

2 calls (telephone)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• CANATEXTS

Trial Overview The CANATEXTS study tests whether a Telehealth intervention using an electronic asthma action plan (eAAP) via mobile devices, along with educational content and weekly reminders, can reduce asthma exacerbations over 12 months compared to standard written AAPs.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Intervention group/telehealth Arm: will be provided access to their electronic asthma action plan (eAAP) via a web Uniform Resource Locator (URL), receive weekly short message service (SMS) check-ins for one year, and be able to communicate with the site's research coordinator (RC) and Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) via an integrated and interactive (two-way) SMS feature to manage their asthma

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Control group/standard care Arm: will receive their written Asthma Action Plan (wAAP) and information on how to use it by the site's Certified Respiratory Educator to manage their asthma

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

30

Recruited

5,600+

Findings from Research

The study involved 10 pediatric patients with persistent asthma who used an Internet-based telehealth system to monitor their medication adherence and asthma control, showing significant improvement in inhaler technique scores during the second study period.

Caregivers reported improved quality of life for patients in the virtual education group, and the telehealth system effectively reduced emergency department visits and hospital admissions, indicating its efficacy and acceptance among users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet-based store-and-forward video home telehealth system for improving asthma outcomes in children. Chan, DS., Callahan, CW., Sheets, SJ., et al.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of mobile applications to support self-management for people with asthma: a systematic review of controlled studies to identify features associated with clinical effectiveness and adherence. [2022]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Home telemonitoring and remote feedback between clinic visits for asthma. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Digital Inhalers and Remote Patient Monitoring for Asthma. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet-based store-and-forward video home telehealth system for improving asthma outcomes in children. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Completing asthma action plans by screen-sharing in video-consultations: practical insights from a feasibility assessment. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using the Internet in the management of asthma. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of the use and effectiveness of digital health technologies in patients with asthma. [2019]