Virtual coaching program shows promise in improving asthma control

Female Indian American doctor holds inhaler during virtual appointment on a laptop.

Clinicians who treat patients with asthma in underserved communities have a new tool to help those individuals in the management of the condition. A virtual asthma coaching program staffed by health care professionals allows physicians to partner with their patients in self-improvement strategies. 

The study, “Trusted Messengers Virtual Asthma Coaching Using an Asthma App Improves Asthma Control and Engagement,” discusses the benefits of the program. It was recently presented at the 2024 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, and published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

The Trusted Messengers program is part of the Allergy & Asthma Network, which provides virtual coaching sessions focused on asthma self-management for underserved communities. It allows users to access education and support from certified asthma educators through its mobile devices and a workbook. Raising awareness of the program is an essential function from within the health care community.

The study noted that the program showed significant improvements in asthma control and engagement among users. Asthma control was measured using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and the Severe Asthma Questionnaire (SAQ). Among 15 participants with poorly controlled asthma at baseline, ACT scores improved from an average of 14.3 to 18.8 at 12 weeks, a statistically significant increase. Notably, nine participants achieved well-controlled asthma status. The SAQ results also showed improvements, with 57% and 70% of participants reporting better asthma management and quality of life, respectively.

Despite advancements in asthma care, individuals in underserved communities continue to experience poor asthma control, the study’s authors wrote. The single-arm, interventional, prospective cohort study was conducted to address these disparities. The study included 39 adults aged 18 and older. Participants engaged in six sessions of virtual asthma coaching over 13 months, utilizing a comprehensive asthma workbook and a self-management app. 

Exit surveys from 31 participants revealed that 87% strongly agreed and 13% agreed that the asthma coaching program was useful. Additionally, 65% found the written information helpful, and 55% rated the app monitoring as very helpful or extremely helpful.

According to researchers, the integration of virtual asthma coaching, a workbook and a self-management app has proven to be a valuable approach in managing asthma, particularly for those with poorly controlled asthma. The program's success underscores the importance of accessible and tailored asthma care solutions in reducing health disparities as well as for the health care community’s assistance in educating patients about the tool.

The study was jointly funded by a Sanofi-Regeneron Corporate Social Responsibility Grant and a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Initiative Research Grant as well as by Amgen, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novartis.

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