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BACKGROUND: Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) are among the most commonly used aerosol delivery devices. Poor lung deposition from a pMDI is often a result of incorrect inhalation technique. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of combining a newly released training device with a smartphone application (advanced counseling) in asthma control to the impact of traditional verbal training. METHODS: A total of 371 subjects with asthma were divided into 2 groups: advanced counseling (n ‫؍‬ 187) and verbal counseling (n ‫؍‬ 184). Both groups had 3 visits, each meeting being a month apart. At each visit, lung function (ie, FEV 1 , ratio of FEV 1 to forced vital capacity [FEV 1 /FVC], and peak expiratory flow) were measured, an asthma control test was given, and subjects were trained in the correct inhalation technique. Inhalation flow through the pMDI was also recorded at each visit because the correct pMDI technique requires an inspiratory flow of < 60 L/min. RESULTS: In the advanced counseling group, lung function significantly improved after both the first and the second visit (P < .001), whereas in the verbal group, lung function improved significantly only after the second visit (P < .001). Although the inspiratory flow through the pMDI improved significantly in both groups, it was closest to the target range in the advanced counseling group. In addition, more subjects in the advanced counseling group had monthly increases of > 3 points in their asthma control test scores compared to the verbal counseling group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a training device with a smartphone application in conjunction with traditional verbal counseling in pMDI technique resulted in significant improvements in asthma control compared to traditional verbal counseling in pMDI technique alone.

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Introduction: Many devices (e.g., nebulizers and spacers) are used to deliver aerosol in a non-invasive ventilation circuit (NIV) without any special recommendation. The aim of the present work was to compare the doses delivered from seven different aerosol delivery systems when placed in the NIV using automatic continuous positive airway pressure (Auto-CPAP). Methods: Three spacers and three vibrating mesh nebulizers were compared to a Sidestream jet nebulizer (SIDE). Each device was placed proximal to a breathing simulator in a standard NIV circuit with a 500 ml tidal volume, 15 breaths/min and a 1:3 inspiratory-expiratory ratio. Two ml of salbutamol solution containing 10,000 lg was nebulized using Aerogen Pro (PRO), Aerogen Solo (SOLO), NIVO and SIDE. Twelve metered dose inhaler doses, containing 100 lg salbutamol each, were delivered using AeroChamber MV (AC), AeroChamber Vent (VC) and AeroChamber Mini (MC). Total emitted dose (TED) and its percentage were determined. Aerodynamic droplet characteristics were measured using cooled Andersen Cascade Impactor. Results: The vibrating mesh nebulizers used had significantly more (p\0.001) TED compared to the jet nebulizer. The spacers used had higher TED % (p\0.001) compared to the nebulizers. The fine particle fraction of SIDE was the highest (p = 0.021) and mass median aerodynamic diameter of the spacers was the smallest (p = 0.001). The fine particle dose from vibrating mesh nebulizers was the greatest (p = 0.02).

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