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A randomized, controlled trial of an interactive educational computer package for children with asthma
Amy C McPherson1, Cristine Glazebrook, Debra Forster
1School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. amy.mcpherson@nottingham.ac.uk
Insights
This study shows an interactive CD-ROM improved asthma knowledge and self-management in children. The educational tool reduced oral steroid use and school absence over six months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Health Informatics
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Asthma self-management education is crucial for children.
- Existing resources may not fully engage pediatric patients.
- Interactive multimedia offers potential for improved health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact and acceptability of an educational multimedia program for pediatric asthma self-management.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of 'The Asthma Files' CD-ROM compared to a standard booklet.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial in 3 UK pediatric respiratory clinics.
- 101 children (7-14 years) randomized to booklet alone or booklet plus interactive CD-ROM.
- Outcomes included asthma knowledge, locus of control, lung function, oral steroid use, and school absence, measured at baseline, 1, and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Improved asthma knowledge and locus of control at 1 month in the CD-ROM group.
- No immediate differences in lung function, hospitalizations, or oral steroid use.
- At 6 months, significantly reduced oral steroid use and school absence in the CD-ROM group (though not statistically significant in intention-to-treat analysis).
Conclusions:
- 'The Asthma Files' CD-ROM is an effective and well-received educational tool.
- The program promotes asthma self-management skills in pediatric patients.
- Multimedia interventions can positively influence health behaviors and reduce asthma-related burdens.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact and acceptability of an educational multimedia program designed to promote self-management skills in children with asthma.
Methods:
We conducted a randomized, controlled trial with measures at baseline and 1- and 6-month follow-up. The trial was conducted in pediatric outpatient respiratory clinics in 3 United Kingdom hospitals. Participants included 101 children aged 7 to 14 years under the care of hospital-based asthma services. The children were randomly assigned to receive an asthma information booklet alone or the booklet plus The Asthma Files, an interactive CD-ROM for children with asthma. Asthma knowledge was the primary outcome measure. Other measures included asthma locus of control, lung function, use of oral steroids, and school absence.
Results:
At the 1-month follow-up (n = 99), children in the computer group had improved knowledge compared with the control group and a more internal locus of control. There were no differences in objective lung-function measures, hospitalizations, or oral steroid use. The study participants were positive in their evaluation of the intervention. At the 6-month follow-up (n = 90), significantly fewer children in the intervention group had required oral steroids and had had time off school for asthma in the previous 6 months. The difference did not reach statistical significance in the intention-to-treat analysis for both steroid use and school absence.
Conclusion:
The Asthma Files was found to be an effective and popular health education tool for promoting asthma self-management skills within pediatric care.
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