Internet-Based Program to Improve Asthma Management in Children

NCT ID: NCT00377663

Last Updated: 2014-03-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 600 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2007-07-31
• Study Completion Date: 2009-08-31

Brief Summary

Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects millions of children. It can be controlled, however, with the proper medications and treatment. AsthmaNet, an internet-based asthma management system, aims to improve the asthma care of children by providing their parents and doctors with appropriate tools and feedback related to asthma management. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of AsthmaNet at improving quality of care and controlling asthma symptoms in children.

Detailed Description

In the United States, almost 9 million children have been diagnosed with asthma. It is a leading cause of hospitalization, chronic disease, and school absenteeism. With the proper treatment, most children with asthma are able to lead a normal life. However, if asthma is not adequately controlled, it can be a life-threatening disease. It is important for parents to work with their child's doctor to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that minimizes asthma symptoms. AsthmaNet, an interactive web-based system, aims to improve the quality of care for children with asthma by enhancing parents' asthma care skills and encouraging parents to discuss their child's asthma care with their doctor. AsthmaNet provides evidence-based guidelines, asthma management tools, and individually tailored feedback to both parents and physicians to improve communication and enhance asthma management skills and behaviors. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of AsthmaNet at increasing medication and treatment adherence in children with asthma.

This 1-year study will enroll young children with asthma. Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the AsthmaNet web site or not use the web site. The web site will provide parents of children in the AsthmaNet group with individualized clinical information regarding their child's asthma care and with decision-making aids that they can share with their child's doctor. The web site will also prompt parents to make additional doctor appointments, as needed, to discuss their child's condition. All children will attend regularly scheduled doctor's appointments for asthma and receive their usual care; there are no additional study visits specifically for this study. Study researchers will review medical records to analyze medication usage and asthma symptoms. Participants in the AsthmaNet group will complete questionnaires on a monthly basis to assess asthma status; the control group will complete questionnaires at Month 6 and Year 1.

Conditions

Asthma

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

1

Participants will use the AsthmaNet web site.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

AsthmaNet

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The AsthmaNet Web site will provide parents of children in the AsthmaNet group with individualized clinical information regarding their child's asthma care and with decision-making aids that they can share with their child's doctor. The web site will also prompt parents to make additional doctor appointments, as needed, to discuss their child's condition.

2

Participants will not use the AsthmaNet Web site.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

AsthmaNet

The AsthmaNet Web site will provide parents of children in the AsthmaNet group with individualized clinical information regarding their child's asthma care and with decision-making aids that they can share with their child's doctor. The web site will also prompt parents to make additional doctor appointments, as needed, to discuss their child's condition.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Asthma
• Receives asthma care at a clinic in Western Washington
• Has access to the internet at home

Exclusion Criteria

• Does not speak or read English

• Minimum Eligible Age: 2 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 10 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Seattle Children's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Dimitri Christakis

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Washington

Locations

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, United States

Countries

United States

References

Christakis DA, Garrison MM, Lozano P, Meischke H, Zhou C, Zimmerman FJ. Improving parental adherence with asthma treatment guidelines: a randomized controlled trial of an interactive website. Acad Pediatr. 2012 Jul-Aug;12(4):302-11. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2012.03.006. Epub 2012 Jun 11.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 22694878 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

R01HL079402-01A2

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

431

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id