Effect of using acoustic flo-tone training device and its smartphone application on enhancing inhalation technique from metered-dose inhaler with spacer in asthmatic children

Abstract

Aim of study: This research study aims to compare between two different counseling approaches; traditional verbal counseling vs. advanced counseling (in which we used the acoustic Flo-tone training device and its smartphone application combined with traditional verbal counseling) to determine the most beneficial counseling approach for asthmatic children who use metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with spacers concerning inhalation duration and inhalation technique mistakes. Methods: A total of 100 asthmatic children (8-18) years old were randomized into two groups (a control group, and an advanced group). Each group included 50 subjects. Every subject received 3 counseling meetings, one each month. Asthmatic children in the control group were trained on inhalation technique from MDI + spacer verbally (traditional counseling), while asthmatic children in advanced group were trained on inhalation technique from MDI + spacer verbally and by advanced counseling (whistling Flo-tone + smartphone application). At each visit mistakes in inhalation technique steps were; detected, corrected, and recorded and the inhalation duration was measured for every child in each group. Results: In both study groups, the total mean number of inhalation technique mistakes decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from visit 2, also the total mean inhalation durations in seconds showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) from visit 2. A significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the total mean number of mistakes and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total mean inhalation durations were observed from visit 2 in advanced group compared to control group. Conclusion: Combination between traditional verbal and advanced counseling methods resulted in significant (P < 0.05) improvements in the number of inhalation technique mistakes and inhalation durations from MDI with spacer in children compared to using traditional verbal counseling alone.

Keywords:

• Asthmatic children
• counseling
• flo-tone
• inhalation technique
• MDI
• spacers
• trainhaler application

Role of authors

(1) Conception and design: Mohamed E.A. Abdelrahim

(2) Administrative support: All authors.

(3) Provision of study materials or patients: All authors.

(4) Collection and assembly of data: All authors

(5) Data analysis and interpretation: All authors.

(6) Manuscript writing: All authors.

(7) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.