PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Approximately 262 million people worldwide are affected by asthma, and the overuse of reliever medication-specifically, short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) overuse-is common. This can lead to adverse health effects. A smartphone app, the Asthma app, was developed via a participatory design to help patients gain more insight into their SABA use through monitoring and psychoeducation.
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the app. The preliminary effects of using the app after 3 months on decreasing asthma symptoms and improving quality of life were examined.
METHODS: A mixed methods study design was used. Quantitative data were collected using the app. Asthma symptoms (measured using the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) and the triggers of these symptoms were collected weekly. Quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) was assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. User experience (System Usability Scale) was measured at all time points, except for baseline. Furthermore, objective user data were collected, and qualitative interviews, focusing on feasibility and usability, were organized. The interview protocol was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Method.
RESULTS: The baseline questionnaire was completed by 373 participants. The majority were female (309/373, 82.8%), with a mean age of 46 (SD 15) years, and used, on average, 10 SABA inhalations per week. App usability was rated as good: 82.3 (SD 13.2; N=44) at 3 months. The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test score significantly improved at 3 months (18.5) compared with baseline (14.8; β=.189; SE 0.048; P<.001); however, the obtained score still indicated uncontrolled asthma. At 3 months, there was no significant difference in the quality of life. Owing to the high dropout rate, insufficient data were collected at 6 and 12 months and were, therefore, not further examined. User data showed that 335 users opened the app (250/335, 74.6%, were returning visitors), with an average session time of 1 minute, and SABA registration was most often used (7506/13,081, 57.38%). Qualitative data (from a total of 4 participants; n=2, 50% female) showed that the participants found the app acceptable and clear. Three participants stated that gaining insight into asthma and its triggers was helpful. Two participants no longer used the app because they perceived their asthma as controlled and, therefore, did not use SABA often or only used it regularly based on the advice of the pulmonologist.
CONCLUSIONS: The initial findings regarding the app\'s feasibility and usability are encouraging. However, the notable dropout rate underscores the need for a cautious interpretation of the results. Subsequent studies, particularly those focusing on implementation, should explore the potential integration of the app into standard treatment practices.
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and usability of the app. The preliminary effects of using the app after 3 months on decreasing asthma symptoms and improving quality of life were examined.
METHODS: A mixed methods study design was used. Quantitative data were collected using the app. Asthma symptoms (measured using the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test) and the triggers of these symptoms were collected weekly. Quality of life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey) was assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. User experience (System Usability Scale) was measured at all time points, except for baseline. Furthermore, objective user data were collected, and qualitative interviews, focusing on feasibility and usability, were organized. The interview protocol was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology framework. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Method.
RESULTS: The baseline questionnaire was completed by 373 participants. The majority were female (309/373, 82.8%), with a mean age of 46 (SD 15) years, and used, on average, 10 SABA inhalations per week. App usability was rated as good: 82.3 (SD 13.2; N=44) at 3 months. The Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test score significantly improved at 3 months (18.5) compared with baseline (14.8; β=.189; SE 0.048; P<.001); however, the obtained score still indicated uncontrolled asthma. At 3 months, there was no significant difference in the quality of life. Owing to the high dropout rate, insufficient data were collected at 6 and 12 months and were, therefore, not further examined. User data showed that 335 users opened the app (250/335, 74.6%, were returning visitors), with an average session time of 1 minute, and SABA registration was most often used (7506/13,081, 57.38%). Qualitative data (from a total of 4 participants; n=2, 50% female) showed that the participants found the app acceptable and clear. Three participants stated that gaining insight into asthma and its triggers was helpful. Two participants no longer used the app because they perceived their asthma as controlled and, therefore, did not use SABA often or only used it regularly based on the advice of the pulmonologist.
CONCLUSIONS: The initial findings regarding the app\'s feasibility and usability are encouraging. However, the notable dropout rate underscores the need for a cautious interpretation of the results. Subsequent studies, particularly those focusing on implementation, should explore the potential integration of the app into standard treatment practices.
摘要：
背景：全球约有2.62亿人患有哮喘，以及过度使用缓解药物-特别是，短效β2激动剂（SABA）的过度使用是常见的。这可能导致不利的健康影响。一个智能手机应用程序，哮喘应用程序,是通过参与式设计开发的，以帮助患者通过监测和心理教育更深入地了解他们的SABA使用。
目的：这项初步研究旨在评估该应用程序的可行性和可用性。研究了3个月后使用该应用程序对减轻哮喘症状和改善生活质量的初步影响。
方法：采用混合方法研究设计。使用该应用程序收集了定量数据。每周收集哮喘症状（使用变应性鼻炎和哮喘测试的对照进行测量）和这些症状的触发因素。在基线和3、6和12个月后评估生活质量（36项短期健康调查）。在所有时间点测量用户体验（系统可用性量表），基线除外。此外，收集了客观的用户数据，和定性访谈，专注于可行性和可用性，是有组织的。面试协议基于接受和使用技术框架的统一理论。使用框架方法分析定性数据。
结果：基线问卷由373名参与者完成。大多数是女性（309/373，82.8％），平均年龄为46(标准差为15)岁，和使用，平均而言,每周吸入10次SABA。应用程序可用性被评为良好：3个月时82.3（SD13.2；N=44）。与基线相比，变应性鼻炎和哮喘的控制评分在3个月时（18.5）显着改善（14.8;β=.189;SE0.048;P<.001）;然而，获得的评分仍表明哮喘未得到控制.3个月时,生活质量无显著差异。由于辍学率高，在6个月和12个月时收集的数据不足，因此,没有进一步检查。用户数据显示，335个用户打开了该应用程序（250/335，74.6%，是回头客)，平均会话时间为1分钟，SABA注册最常用（7506/13,081，57.38％）。定性数据（来自总共4名参与者；n=2，50％为女性）表明参与者发现该应用程序可以接受且清晰。三名参与者表示，深入了解哮喘及其诱因是有帮助的。两名参与者不再使用该应用程序，因为他们认为自己的哮喘得到了控制，因此,没有经常使用SABA或仅根据肺科医生的建议定期使用SABA。
结论：关于应用程序的可行性和可用性的初步发现令人鼓舞。然而,显著的辍学率突显了对结果进行谨慎解释的必要性。随后的研究，特别是那些注重执行的人，应该探索该应用程序与标准治疗实践的潜在整合。
目的：这项初步研究旨在评估该应用程序的可行性和可用性。研究了3个月后使用该应用程序对减轻哮喘症状和改善生活质量的初步影响。
方法：采用混合方法研究设计。使用该应用程序收集了定量数据。每周收集哮喘症状（使用变应性鼻炎和哮喘测试的对照进行测量）和这些症状的触发因素。在基线和3、6和12个月后评估生活质量（36项短期健康调查）。在所有时间点测量用户体验（系统可用性量表），基线除外。此外，收集了客观的用户数据，和定性访谈，专注于可行性和可用性，是有组织的。面试协议基于接受和使用技术框架的统一理论。使用框架方法分析定性数据。
结果：基线问卷由373名参与者完成。大多数是女性（309/373，82.8％），平均年龄为46(标准差为15)岁，和使用，平均而言,每周吸入10次SABA。应用程序可用性被评为良好：3个月时82.3（SD13.2；N=44）。与基线相比，变应性鼻炎和哮喘的控制评分在3个月时（18.5）显着改善（14.8;β=.189;SE0.048;P<.001）;然而，获得的评分仍表明哮喘未得到控制.3个月时,生活质量无显著差异。由于辍学率高，在6个月和12个月时收集的数据不足，因此,没有进一步检查。用户数据显示，335个用户打开了该应用程序（250/335，74.6%，是回头客)，平均会话时间为1分钟，SABA注册最常用（7506/13,081，57.38％）。定性数据（来自总共4名参与者；n=2，50％为女性）表明参与者发现该应用程序可以接受且清晰。三名参与者表示，深入了解哮喘及其诱因是有帮助的。两名参与者不再使用该应用程序，因为他们认为自己的哮喘得到了控制，因此,没有经常使用SABA或仅根据肺科医生的建议定期使用SABA。
结论：关于应用程序的可行性和可用性的初步发现令人鼓舞。然而,显著的辍学率突显了对结果进行谨慎解释的必要性。随后的研究，特别是那些注重执行的人，应该探索该应用程序与标准治疗实践的潜在整合。
