An Internet-based store-and-forward video home telehealth system for improving asthma outcomes in children

The adherence and disease-control outcomes associated with the use of an Internet-based store-and-forward video home telehealth system to manage asthma in children were studied. Pediatric patients with persistent asthma were provided with home computers and Internet access and monitored biweekly over the Internet. All patients were seen in the pediatric clinic at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Half of the patients received asthma education in person and half via an interactive Web site. Adherence measures were assessed by therapeutic and diagnostic monitoring. Therapeutic monitoring included digital videos of patients using their controller medication inhaler. Diagnostic monitoring included an asthma symptom diary and a video of peak flow meter use. Videos were submitted electronically twice a week by using in-home telemonitoring with store-and-forward technology. Feedback was provided electronically to each patient. Disease control was assessed by examining quality of life, utilization of services, rescue-therapy use, symptom control, satisfaction with home telemonitoring, and retention of asthma knowledge. Patients were randomly assigned to an asthma education group (Internet versus office), and the data were analyzed by comparing results for study days 0-90 and 91-180. Ten children participated. A total of 321 videos of inhaler use and 309 videos of peak flow meter use were submitted. Inhaler technique scores improved significantly in the second study period. Submission of diagnostic monitoring videos and asthma diary entries decreased significantly. Peak flow values as a percentage of personal best values increased significantly. Overall, there was no change in quality of life reported by patients. However, the caregivers in the virtual-education group reported an increase in the patients' quality-of-life survey scores. Emergency department visits and hospital admissions for asthma were avoided. Rescue therapy was infrequent. A high rate of satisfaction with home telemonitoring was reported. Internet-based, store-and-forward video assessment of children's use of asthma medications and monitoring tools in their homes appeared effective and well accepted.