Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2011 Jun;21(2):108-114.

The Evaluation of an Education Program for Using an Inhaler Devices in Childhood Asthma

• Choi EJ
• Yun HJ
• An HS
• Lee JS
• Jung JA

Abstract

PURPOSE
Asthma inhalation therapy is important for the treatment of childhood asthma. Therefore, it is necessary to educate patients on the correct inhalation techniques. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and necessity of educating patients on the correct inhalation techniques.
METHODS
A total of 86 patients with bronchial asthma and who were over 7 years old were enrolled and educated on handling inhaler devices for 2 years. The inhaler devices used were the diskus (n=27), turbuhaler (n=12) and metered dose inhaler with a spacer (n=47). Trained pharmacists provided the education. Four steps (breathing out prior to inhalation, inhalation, holding the breath, exhaling slowly) that were critical for handling each device were evaluated and each step was scored as good, fair or poor. We evaluated the symptom score (daytime cough, nighttime cough, sleep disturbance and limitation of activity) and lung function before treatment and 4 weeks later.
RESULTS
Over 90.0% of the diskus users performed fair to good in each step. The symptom score and lung function at 4 weeks later after education were significantly improved (P=0.000). The turbuhaler users all performed fair to good on each step. The symptom score was significantly improved (P<0.005), but the lung function was not difference. Over 95% of the users of a metered dose inhaler with a spacer performed moderate to good on each step. The symptom score and lung function were significantly improved (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The structured, detailed education on inhaler devices by trained specialists was very important for performing correct inhalation therapy to control asthma, and repeated education might be also necessary.

Keyword

Bronchial asthma; Education; Inhaler devices

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Cough
Exhalation
Handling (Psychology)
Humans
Inhalation
Lung
Metered Dose Inhalers
Nebulizers and Vaporizers
Pharmacists
Respiratory Therapy
Specialization

Figure

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  Fig 1. Frequency of errors in each essential steps in Diskus.

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  Fig 2. Frequency of errors in each essential steps in turbuhaler.

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  Fig 3. Frequency of errors in each essential steps in metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer.

Reference

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