A randomized controlled trial of a mobile application-assisted nurse-led model used to improve treatment outcomes in children with asthma

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile application-assisted nurse-led management model in childhood asthma. Background Studies have shown that a nurse-led asthma management model can improve asthma outcomes. However, the role of a mobile application-assisted nurse-led model in paediatric asthma management has not been studied well. Design A multi-centre randomized clinical trial. Methods The trial was conducted between March 2017-March 2018. A total of 152 children (6 to 11.9 years old) were enrolled, with 77 children in the experimental group and 75 in the control group. All children received nurse-led asthma management and other routine treatment measures, including inhaled corticosteroids. Meanwhile, a mobile application was used to manage asthma only for children in the experimental group. Primary outcome was frequency of asthma exacerbations. All outcomes were evaluated twice a month for 12 months. Results Compared with the pre-enrollment period, frequency of asthma exacerbations decreased in the post-enrollment period in the two groups, with a greater decrease in the experimental group. Compared with children in the control group, children in the experimental group had better secondary outcomes, such as improved adherence, higher Childhood Asthma Control Test scores, decreased respiratory tract infections, days of antibiotic use, days of school absence, parental work loss, and medical expenses. Conclusion A mobile application-assisted nurse-led management model decreased asthma exacerbations and improved secondary outcomes in children with asthma. Further research is needed to verify its validity in larger population samples. Impact Children with asthma benefited from a nurse-led asthma management model when combined with mobile application. This trial suggested that computer and Internet technologies should be incorporated into nurse-led asthma strategy in paediatric asthma management. Trial registration: The current trial was registered online with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1800016726).