InspiAir, the mHealth App to monitor asthma symptoms for people with asthma

Abstract

Background: GINA guidelines suggest the need for future digital tools for asthma management; however, no clinically-based mobile health App is available in digital stores.

Objective: To report the development and validation of a mobile App to improve clinical control for individuals with moderate to severe asthma.

Methods: The InspirAir was developed respecting all design thinking stages. The App contains 4 components: mobile patient interface (front end); Web interface for patient monitoring (back end); encrypted database security; and microservices API for sensor bracelets communication to quantify physical activity level. The App contains all features required for clinical control: medication with the alarm set, asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), diary symptoms, physical activity monitoring (via smartwatch), educational videos, and achievements gamification. Health professionals can also establish individual goals.

Results: Usability was tested in patients (n=25) and health professionals (n=10). Patients were 45 yrs (18-64; 95%CI), 16 had moderate to severe asthma, and 11 did not have controlled asthma (ACQ≥1.5). Most patients considered it easy to personal login and register (84%), and all of them (100%) classified it as friendly to use and recommended for other patients and relatives. Also, 84% felt confident in fulfilling the requested information and were motivated to become more physically active. Most health professionals also considered the login easy to perform (84%) and did not report problems with the App web navigating (100%).

Conclusion: InspiAir is the first free digital tool containing all relevant features for asthma monitoring approved by asthma patients and health professionals