TY - JOUR
T1 - Electronic Monitoring Devices to Support Inhalation Technique in Patients with Asthma
T2 - a Narrative Review
AU - Eikholt, Amber A.
AU - Wiertz, Mechteld B.R.
AU - Hew, Mark
AU - Chan, Amy H.Y.
AU - van Boven, Job F.M.
N1 - Funding Information:
J.F.M. van Boven reports grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, grants and personal fees from Chiesi, personal fees from Teva, personal fees from GSK, grants and personal fees from Novartis, grants from Trudell Medical, outside the submitted work. A. Chan reports grants from Health Research Council of New Zealand, other from Auckland Medical Research Foundation, personal fees from Tech Futures Academy, personal fees from Spoonful of Sugar Ltd, grants from Asthma UK, grants from the University of Auckland, other from Robert Irwin Postdoctoral Fellowship, grants from Health Research Council, grants from Oakley Mental Health Foundation, grants from Chorus Ltd, grants from Asthma NZ, other from World Health Organisation, other from Hong Kong University, outside the submitted work; and Board member of Asthma NZ and a member of the Respiratory Effectiveness Group (REG). All other authors declare no competing interests.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - Purpose of Review: Improper inhaling technique is common and is associated with poor patient outcomes. However, digital e-health devices may offer novel opportunities for educational support. This narrative review provides an overview of electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) measuring patient inhalation technique. We summarise their technical features, capabilities and limitations and discuss the steps necessary for implementation in clinical practice.Recent Findings: Six EMDs measuring inhalation were identified. The quality of published evidence varied widely. Devices differed in the inhalation technique steps measured, the feedback provided and the type of sensor employed. Sustainability and battery life differed according to whether devices were built into inhalers or add-ons. Nevertheless, all EMDs could reliably capture diverse inhaler technique errors, and some can guide educational interventions and follow-up treatment. In addition, some EMDs may serve as an early warning system for exacerbations.Summary: New-generation EMDs can measure patient inhalation technique, yet there is limited data on patient preferences, acceptability of inhaler technique monitoring, cost-effectiveness and the influence of inhaler technique monitoring on clinical outcomes, all representing areas for further research.
AB - Purpose of Review: Improper inhaling technique is common and is associated with poor patient outcomes. However, digital e-health devices may offer novel opportunities for educational support. This narrative review provides an overview of electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) measuring patient inhalation technique. We summarise their technical features, capabilities and limitations and discuss the steps necessary for implementation in clinical practice.Recent Findings: Six EMDs measuring inhalation were identified. The quality of published evidence varied widely. Devices differed in the inhalation technique steps measured, the feedback provided and the type of sensor employed. Sustainability and battery life differed according to whether devices were built into inhalers or add-ons. Nevertheless, all EMDs could reliably capture diverse inhaler technique errors, and some can guide educational interventions and follow-up treatment. In addition, some EMDs may serve as an early warning system for exacerbations.Summary: New-generation EMDs can measure patient inhalation technique, yet there is limited data on patient preferences, acceptability of inhaler technique monitoring, cost-effectiveness and the influence of inhaler technique monitoring on clinical outcomes, all representing areas for further research.
KW - Asthma
KW - Digital inhalers
KW - Electronic monitoring devices
KW - Inhalation technique
KW - Medication adherence
U2 - 10.1007/s40521-023-00328-7
DO - 10.1007/s40521-023-00328-7
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85148221776
SN - 2196-3053
VL - 10
SP - 28
EP - 52
JO - Current Treatment Options in Allergy
JF - Current Treatment Options in Allergy
ER -