Educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques and their impact on asthma and COPD control: a pilot effectiveness-implementation trial

Abstract

To assess the impact that educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques have on the clinical and functional control of asthma and COPD, we evaluated 44 participants before and after such an intervention. There was a significant decrease in the number of errors, and 20 patients (46%) significantly improved their technique regarding prior exhalation and breath hold. In the asthma group, there were significant improvements in the mean FEV1, FVC, and PEF (of 6.4%, 8.6%, and 8.3% respectively). Those improvements were accompanied by improvements in Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test scores but not in Asthma Control Test scores. In the COPD group, there were no significant variations. In asthma patients, educational interventions appear to improve inhaler technique, clinical control, and functional control.

Incorrect use of inhalation devices among patients with bronchial asthma. A hospital-based cross-sectional study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…of the participants performed it correctly. 13,15,22,23,24 Unlike several previous studies, 11,18,25,26 no relationship was found in our study between old age and incorrect inhalation technique.…”

Clinical, functional and inflammatory evaluation in asthmatic patients after a simple short-term educational program: a randomized trial

“…However, we did not observe differences when comparing ACT and ACQ scores in either group. In the same way, Maricoto et al 23 also did not nd differences between groups after an educational intervention regarding proper use of ICS in ACT scores. França-Pinto et al (2015) did not show a difference in ACQ after an aerobic training program of asthmatic patients, although they presented a better quality of life and better scores of depression 16 .…”

“…Another mediator related to eosinophils and the in ammatory process of asthma is T helper (Th) 2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-5 19,23,41,42 . The ERS/ATS Task Force (2020) made recommendations on the use of novel therapies for severe asthma, speci cally biological for type 2 high asthma, among which they suggest using anti-interleukin (IL)-5 and anti-IL5 receptor α for severe uncontrolled adult eosinophilic asthma phenotypes and anti-IL-4/13 for adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and for those with severe corticosteroid-dependent asthma regardless of blood eosinophil levels 43 .…”

Most frequent errors in inhalation technique of patients with asthma treated at a tertiary care hospital

“…( 20 ) There are also various studies demonstrating that the majority of asthma patients, do not have the disease under control. ( 4 , 21 ) The objective of asthma treatment is control. There is no alternative.…”