Does A Www-based Interactive Computer Program change asthma Outcomes, Quality of Life and Asthma Knowledge

Abstract

RATIONALE: In 2001 we gained financing for our project www.astmacenter.dk., which is an internet based, interactive asthma program. The purpose of this was to enhance children's knowledge of asthma, self-management of asthma, quality of life and to reduce asthma morbidity and health costs. Was there a difference between a group of asthma children allocated to this interactive program and a similar group of asthma children allocated to a program with the same asthma information but without the interactivity feasibility. METHODS: 83 asthmatic children between ages 6 and 14 were randomly allocated to either the interactive or the non-interactive program. Two visits one year apart were scheduled. Peak-flow and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was recorded. A Quality of Life questionnaire and a questionnaire about asthma knowledge was completed. Information on number of admissions to hospital, visits to the emergency room (ER) and unscheduled visits to general practitioners (GPs) during the year prior to each visit were obtained. RESULTS: 81 children completed the study. No differences between the two groups were found concerning peak-flow (P = .29) , FEV1 (P = .72), Quality of Life (P = .19) , GP contacts, hospitalisations or ER-visits (P = .22).The knowledge of asthma improved (P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: The present study includes only a small group of probably selection-biased children and the results are therefore merely indicative. The results might be explained by the fact that all the children had already received good medical treatment and were well informed about asthma.