Training device improves QoL for asthma patients
Patients using a metered dose inhaler should inhale slowly |
A new device designed to help maintain a slow inhalation rate improves quality of life scores in asthma patients, according to researchers who presented their work at the American
Thoracic Society’s annual meeting in San Diego this week.
In patients using a metered dose inhaler, inhalation rate should be
as slow as possible within the range 30–90L per minute. The study
involved 55 patients with good co-ordination but who had an inhalation
rate measured as faster than 90L per minute.
Patients received either verbal counselling and training on inhaler technique
or verbal counselling and the device, called 2Tone Trainer. The device
looks like an MDI but emits a two-tone sound when inhalation is faster
than 60L per minute, a one-tone sound when it is between 30 and 60L per
minute, and no sound when it is slower than 30L per minute.
Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) score was measured before
the study and again after six weeks. The researchers found that AQLQ
scores in patients using the new device improved more than those in the
counselling-only group (P=0.004). There was also a greater decrease in
inhalation rate in the 2Tone Trainer group (P<0.001).
The study was conducted by researchers at the school of pharmacy and
institute of pharmaceutical innovation, University of Bradford, and the
department of respiratory medicine, Leeds General Infirmary. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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