Marvel J, Goransson O, Clark M, Romano (DeMuro) C, Olayinka-Amao O, Whalley D, Crawford R, Brindicci C, Garg K, Kordy K, Everhard F, Patalano F, Roesler Z, Landles R, Naujoks C, Gutzwiller FS. Interactive tablet application for self-report of asthma symptoms and impacts in young children. Poster presented at the ERS International Congress 2022; September 6, 2022. Barcelona, Spain. [abstract] Eur Respir J. 2022 Sep 4; 60(Suppl 66):2127. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2022.2127

BACKGROUND: A digital application to assess the severity and impact of daily asthma symptoms is desired to enable self-report among children aged 6-11 years without the need for caregiver/proxy-reporting or multiple questionnaires.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a prototype of the electronic pediatric asthma symptom diary (ePASD) digital application on a tablet. This novel, interactive monitoring tool was anticipated to facilitate self-report during clinical trials with children aged 6-11 years.

METHODS: Two rounds of in-person interviews were conducted with children and their caregivers in the United States (Round 1, n=15; Round 2, n=14), and a remote round was conducted internationally (Russia [n=6], China [n=6], India [n=6], and United Arab Emirates [n=5]). Participants were presented with a digital application that includes an animated character that read questions aloud while visually and audibly demonstrating each symptom or impact to understand the child’s level of engagement with the questionnaire, clarity of questions, routine integration, and acceptance.

RESULTS: All child participants successfully interacted with the ePASD application and used all of its features. Almost all families foresaw an easy integration into their daily routines. The use of a character to visualize asthma symptoms and impacts engaged children of all ages and cultures.

CONCLUSIONS: The final prototype of the ePASD digital application is anticipated to provide a single, universally accepted, and fun tool for children aged 6-11 years, with or without the ability to read, to self-report their asthma symptoms and impacts without the need for proxy/caregiver reporting.