Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
A previous study of school-aged children with asthma carried out in routine practice settings suggested that computer-assisted learning (CAL) may improve childrens knowledge of their condition and its management. The aim of this study was to find out about the benefits of computer-based instruction about asthma for school-aged children, and to see whether unplanned asthma-related care was reduced during the following 3 years. If computer-generated instruction is shown to be beneficial it represents a potentially cost effective method which could be used in schools and healthcare settings.
Who can participate?
Children with asthma confirmed with medical records.
What does the study involve?
Children were randomly allocated to either the CAL group or the control group. Children in the control group received standard care. Children in the CAL group, using the computer program, were given additional instruction to that normally given on various aspects of their asthma. Following prior consent from the GPs of individual patients, a postal questionnaire was sent to patients to ascertain any type of unplanned asthma care, such as attendance at A&E, hospital admission or emergency calls to the GP.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Children in the CAL group may become more competent and confident in managing their own asthma.
Where is the study run from?
Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study ran from January 1993 to September 1995.
Who is funding the study?
NHS Executive Northern and Yorkshire (UK).
Who is the main contact?
Catherine Gleeson
c.r.gleeson@talk21.com
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Mrs Catherine Gleeson
ORCID ID
Contact details
2 The Dell
Fixby
Huddersfield
HD2 2FD
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1484 546 616
c.r.gleeson@talk21.com
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
ASTEDUC
Study information
Scientific title
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The principal aim of this project is to objectively evaluate the benefits of computer-based instruction about asthma for school aged children. If computer generated instruction is shown to be beneficial it represents a potentially cost effective method which could be used in schools and health care settings, which would empower children to become more competent and confident in managing their own asthma.
Ethics approval
Not provided at time of registration
Study design
Randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Not specified
Trial type
Not Specified
Patient information sheet
Condition
Respiratory tract diseases: Asthma
Intervention
1. Children given instruction additional to that normally given, using the computer program on various aspects of their asthma
2. Standard care
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Medium and long term retention of knowledge and techniques
Secondary outcome measures
Not provided at time of registration
Overall trial start date
10/01/1993
Overall trial end date
30/09/1995
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Children with asthma - confirmed with medical records
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Child
Gender
Not Specified
Target number of participants
Not provided at time of registration
Participant exclusion criteria
Not provided at time of registration
Recruitment start date
10/01/1993
Recruitment end date
30/09/1995
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
2 The Dell
Huddersfield
HD2 2FD
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
NHS R&D Regional Programme Register - Department of Health (UK)
Sponsor details
The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7307 2622
dhmail@doh.gsi.org.uk
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
NHS Executive Northern and Yorkshire (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list
No publication intended as of 29/09/2011