Abstract
To address the need for asthma self-management in pediatrics, the authors present the feasibility of a mobile health (mHealth) platform built on their prior work in an asthmatic adult and child. Real-time asthma attack risk was assessed through physiological and environmental sensors. Data were sent to a cloud via a smartwatch application (app) using Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant cryptography and combined with online source data. A risk level (high, medium or low) was determined using a random forest classifier and then sent to the app to be visualized as animated dragon graphics for easy interpretation by children. The feasibility of the system was first tested on an adult with moderate asthma, then usability was examined on a child with mild asthma over several weeks. It was found during feasibility testing that the system is able to assess asthma risk with 80.10 ± 14.13% accuracy. During usability testing, it was able to continuously collect sensor data, and the child was able to wear, easily understand and enjoy the use of the system. If tested in more individuals, this system may lead to an effective self-management program that can reduce hospitalization in those who suffer from asthma.
Highlights
Pediatric asthma affects nearly six million children in the United States [1] and significantly impacts their quality of life and healthcare-related costs
During the feasibility testing over the course of five days for the adult with asthma, it was found that the dust sensor, AirBeam and spirometer sensor were able to accurately send dust density, particulate matter, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1)
The classifier performed in real time, having only a 5-s lag between data collection and risk decisions displayed on the smartwatch, which was mainly due to averaging accelerometer values to reliably estimate energy expenditures
Summary
Pediatric asthma affects nearly six million children in the United States [1] and significantly impacts their quality of life and healthcare-related costs. Nearly 10% of children diagnosed with asthma go to an emergency room each year [3,4], and it is the leading cause of student absenteeism, causing upwards of 14 million school days lost per year [5,6]. Pediatric asthma is a very costly disease, as it is estimated that healthcare costs for a child with asthma average $1039 per year [7,8]. It is clear that there is a significant need to alleviate symptoms and continuously manage this disease. Mobile Health (mHealth) systems provide a potential platform for continuous symptom
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