title: Evaluation of asthma control, parents' quality of life and preference between AeroChamber Plus and AeroChamber Plus Flow-Vu spacers in young children with asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The AeroChamber Plus (AC) valved holding chamber has been enhanced to include the Flow-Vu (FV) inspiratory flow indicator that provides visual inhalation feedback during use. We have investigated if FV alters asthma control and whether parents accept it.
  
  
  METHODS
  At visit 1, children with asthma, age 1-5 years, used an AC with their pressurised metered dose inhaler and 2 weeks later (visit 2) they were randomised to use either AC or FV. Subjects returned 6 (visit 3) and 12 (visit 4) weeks later. The Asthma Control (ACQ) and Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life (PACQLQ) questionnaires were scored at each visit, and their peak inhalation flow (PIF) when they used their spacer was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty participants in each group completed the study. There was no difference in the ACQ scores from visits 2 to 4 between the two groups. The improvements in the PACQLQ scores were greater in the FV group (p = 0.029). The mean difference (95% confidence interval) for the change from visits 2 to 4 between FV and AC groups was 0.05 (-0.33, 0.43) and 0.39 (0.035, 0.737) for the ACQ and PACQLQ, respectively. Most parents preferred the FV (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the PIF rates at each visit and between the two spacers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no change in asthma control of the young children but that of their parents improved. Parents preferred the FV and this could be related to their improved perception of their children's asthma control by better PACQLQ scores.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University , Amman , Jordan .
authors.forename: Wesam G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Ammari
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toor
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chetcuti
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chrystyn
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D062072:Patient Acuity; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
keywords: Caregiver; infants with asthma; parents; quality of life; spacer; visual indicator