Effectiveness of specialist nurse-led WeChat mini program management for disease control in asthma: A randomized controlled study
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Published on: August 24, 2019
Ji-Mei Wu1, Tu-Hong Yang1, Xia Qin1
1Pediatric Respiratory and Immunology, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha 410005, China.
Insights
A nurse-led WeChat Mini Program improved pediatric asthma control and reduced exacerbations in children aged 6-11. This digital tool shows promise for enhancing asthma management strategies in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Digital Health Interventions
- Chronic Disease Management
Background:
- Childhood asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for pediatric asthma patients.
- Current management requires innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a nurse-led WeChat Mini Program for managing asthma in children aged 6 to 11 years.
- To compare the outcomes of using a digital management tool versus standard care.
- To evaluate the impact on asthma control, exacerbations, and lung function.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 108 children with asthma was conducted.
- Participants were assigned to either standard care or standard care plus the WeChat Mini Program.
- Outcomes including the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), exacerbation frequency, and lung function were measured at 3 and 6 months.
Main Results:
- The WeChat Mini Program group demonstrated significantly higher C-ACT scores at 3 and 6 months.
- A notable reduction in asthma exacerbation frequency was observed in the intervention group.
- Improvements in Peak Expiratory Flow were noted, but significant changes in FEV1% and FEV1/FVC were not observed.
Conclusions:
- The nurse-led WeChat Mini Program effectively improved asthma control and decreased exacerbations in children.
- While beneficial for control and exacerbations, the program did not significantly impact all lung function parameters.
- This digital tool represents a potential advancement in pediatric asthma care, warranting further investigation into long-term effects.
Background:
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in childhood, requiring effective management strategies.
Purpose:
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led WeChat Mini Program in managing asthma among children aged 6 to 11 years.
Methods:
This randomized controlled trial adhered to the CONSORT checklist and was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China from January 2023 to August 2023. One hundred and eight children with asthma were randomly assigned to two groups, and 81 children completed the 6-month follow-up. All participants received asthma management from specialist nurses, including routine treatments such as inhaled corticosteroids. The experimental group also utilized the WeChat Mini Program for asthma management. Both groups underwent follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months post-enrollment, which included the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT), asthma control levels, frequency of exacerbations, and lung function.
Results:
At 3 and 6 months, the experimental group showed significantly higher C-ACT scores and a lower exacerbation frequency compared to the control group (p < 0.05). While Peak Expiratory Flow improved, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second Percentage Predicted (FEV1%) and FEV1/FVC did not change significantly.
Conclusions:
The WeChat Mini Program significantly improved asthma control and reduced exacerbations but did not substantially enhance all lung function parameters. Further research is required to confirm its long-term effects.
Application To Practice:
Incorporating a specialist nurse-led digital management tool, such as the WeChat Mini Program, into standard pediatric asthma care may offer an effective management strategy.
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