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To determine whether mobile phone based monitoring improves asthma control compared with standard paper based monitoring strategies.Multicentre randomised controlled trial with cost effectiveness analysis.UK primary care.288 adolescents and adults with poorly controlled asthma (asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) score ≥ 1.5) from 32 practices.Participants were centrally randomised to twice daily recording and mobile phone based transmission of symptoms, drug use, and peak flow with immediate feedback prompting action according to an agreed plan or paper based monitoring.Changes in scores on asthma control questionnaire and self efficacy (knowledge, attitude, and self efficacy asthma questionnaire (KASE-AQ)) at six months after randomisation. Assessment of outcomes was blinded. Analysis was on an intention to treat basis.There was no significant difference in the change in asthma control or self efficacy between the two groups (ACQ: mean change 0.75 in mobile group v 0.73 in paper group, mean difference in change -0.02 (95% confidence interval -0.23 to 0.19); KASE-AQ score: mean change -4.4 v -2.4, mean difference 2.0 (-0.3 to 4.2)). The numbers of patients who had acute exacerbations, steroid courses, and unscheduled consultations were similar in both groups, with similar healthcare costs. Overall, the mobile phone service was more expensive because of the expenses of telemonitoring.Mobile technology does not improve asthma control or increase self efficacy compared with paper based monitoring when both groups received clinical care to guidelines standards. The mobile technology was not cost effective.Clinical Trials NCT00512837.

Original publication

DOI

10.1136/bmj.e1756

Type

Journal article

Journal

BMJ (Clinical research ed.)

Publication Date

23/03/2012

Volume

344

Addresses

Academic Centre of Primary Care, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK. dermotryan@doctors.org.uk

Keywords

Humans, Asthma, Monitoring, Physiologic, Treatment Outcome, Self Care, Attitude to Health, Directive Counseling, Remote Consultation, Quality of Life, Hotlines, Adolescent, Adult, Middle Aged, Patient Participation, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Primary Health Care, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Female, Male, Cell Phones, Surveys and Questionnaires