title: Educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques and their impact on asthma and COPD control: a pilot effectiveness-implementation trial.
abstract: To assess the impact that educational interventions to improve inhaler techniques have on the clinical and functional control of asthma and COPD, we evaluated 44 participants before and after such an intervention. There was a significant decrease in the number of errors, and 20 patients (46%) significantly improved their technique regarding prior exhalation and breath hold. In the asthma group, there were significant improvements in the mean FEV1, FVC, and PEF (of 6.4%, 8.6%, and 8.3% respectively). Those improvements were accompanied by improvements in Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test scores but not in Asthma Control Test scores. In the COPD group, there were no significant variations. In asthma patients, educational interventions appear to improve inhaler technique, clinical control, and functional control. RESUMO Para avaliar o impacto do ensino da técnica inalatória no controle clínico e funcional de pacientes com asma ou DPOC, incluíram-se 44 participantes antes e após essa intervenção. Houve uma diminuição significativa no número de erros cometidos, sendo que 20 pacientes (46%) melhoraram significativamente sua técnica na expiração prévia e apneia final. No grupo asma, houve significativa melhora nas médias de FEV1 (6,4%), CVF (8,6%) e PFE (8,3%), e essa melhora correlacionou-se com os resultados no Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test, mas não com os do Asthma Control Test. No grupo DPOC, não houve variações significativas. O ensino da técnica inalatória parece melhorar seu desempenho e os controles clínico e funcional em pacientes com asma.
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados - UCSP - Aveiro I, Centro de Saúde de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maricoto
authors.affiliation: Unidade de Saúde Familiar de Santa Joana, Centro de Saúde de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madanelo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lília
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alcina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saraiva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D065187:Controlled Before-After Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011174:Portugal; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000517:prevention & control*