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. 2020 Apr;8(4):1284-1293.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.12.013. Epub 2019 Dec 21.

Systematic Review of Digital Interventions for Pediatric Asthma Management

Rachelle R Ramsey  1 , Jill M Plevinsky  2 , Sophie R Kollin  2 , Robert C Gibler  3 , Theresa W Guilbert  4 , Kevin A Hommel  5
Affiliations

Systematic Review of Digital Interventions for Pediatric Asthma Management

Rachelle R Ramsey et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Pediatric patients with asthma take only approximately half of their prescribed medication. Digital interventions to improve adherence for youth with asthma exist and have the potential to improve accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and customizability.

Objective: To systematically review published research examining digital interventions to promote adherence to the treatment of pediatric asthma.

Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and reference review databases was conducted. Articles were included if adherence was an outcome in a randomized controlled trial of a digital intervention for children with asthma. We compared samples, intervention characteristics, adherence measurement and outcomes, as well as additional health outcomes across studies.

Results: Of the 264 articles reviewed, 15 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Overall, 87% of the digital interventions demonstrated improved adherence and 53% demonstrated improved health outcomes. All the promising interventions included a behavioral component and most were 3 to 6 months in length, delivered through a digital stand-alone medium (eg, automated personalized texts, mobile health apps, and website), and assessed adherence to controller medication.

Conclusions: Overall, digital interventions aimed at improving adherence are promising and also improve health outcomes in addition to medication adherence. Although future studies using evidence-based adherence assessment and multifactorial design should be conducted, the current literature suggests that both digital stand-alone interventions and interventions combining digital technology with support from a health care team member result in improved adherence and asthma outcomes. Recommendations for digital interventions for pediatric patients with asthma with adherence concerns are provided.

Keywords: Adherence; Asthma; Digital intervention; Internet; Mobile health; Self-management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Search Strategy Text Box
describing the search strategy implemented to execute this systematic review.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. The PRISMA four-phase flow diagram
detailing study selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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