An Intervention of Telemonitoring and Structured Telephone Support for Children with Bronchial Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic health disorder affecting a substantial proportion of children and adults worldwide. The use of technology in facilitating monitoring and follow up can be useful in better control of asthma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of telemonitoring and structured telephone support as an intervention in home management of bronchial asthma in children and to study the effect of intervention on quality of life in children with bronchial asthma. Methods: This study was conducted in 68 asthmatic children. Children in intervention group were doing daily PEFR at home, received home visit by e health worker related to telemedicine department and had facility to contact health professional through telephone calls. Results: During study period of 6 months, the mean of rescue therapy of group-I (intervention) and group–II (control) were 4.90 and 3.22 respectively. Intervention and control group had significant difference in the number of use of rescue therapy, p value < 0.0001. Although intervention group had slightly more emergency room visits mean for group-I (intervention) 1.06 and for group-II (control) 1.00 with no significant difference between them had p value of 0.540. Both the groups showed improvement in the quality of life at the end of study over period of 6 months with no significant difference, p value of 0.975(> 0.05). Conclusion: The randomized controlled trial showed that telemonitoring and structured telephone support is as effective as conventional OPD based care in improving quality of life and preventing severe exacerbation leading to emergency room visit in children with moderate persistent asthma. Keywords: Asthma; PEFR; Telemonitoring