Chaney

• What was the aim?

  To show that the use of a novel asthma spacer device the “Funaler”, can provide positive reinforcement which leads to improved adherence in young asthmatics  
• What was the method?

  Field experiment in participant’s home settings in Australia, repeated measures design

  IVs: 

  • Whether the child used a standard/small spacer device – Breath-a-Tech 
  • Whether the child used a Funhaler 

  DV – amount of adherence to the prescribed medical regime 
• What was the sample?

  • 32 children (22 male, 10 female; age range 1.5-6 years) prescribed drugs delivered by pMDI and spacer were recruited  
  • The children’s parents provided informed consent and also participated in the study through completing questionnaires and taking part in a phone interview and also helped where necessary in the use of the inhalers 
• What was the procedure?

   

  • Comparison to check dosage was the same
  • Used Funhaler over 2 weeks
  • Matched questionnaires completed by parents after sequential usage of Breath-a-Tech and Funhaler
  • Random calls to check participants didn't need to withdraw
• What were the conclusions?

  • Improved adherence combined with satisfactory delivery characteristics suggest the Funhaler may be useful for management of young asthmatics 
  • Use of Funhaler could be translated to improved measures of clincal outcome 
  • More research needed in long term efficacy  
• What were the findings?

  • Use of Funhaler associated with improved parental and child compliance 
  • When surveyed at random 81% of children using the Funhaler were found to have been medicated the previous day compared to 59% 
  • Significantly more parents reported they were always successful in medicating their child 
• How is it useful?

  Making taking medication fun for children could help parents deliver medication more easily and effectively as positively reinforced and not seen as a negative thing 
• What is the background?

  • Operant conditioning is a form of learning in which behaviour that brings about a rewarding response is likely to be repeated. Children who are asthmatic are often prescribed inhalers but adherence rates to using them correctly with appropriate frequency are low. The consequences of poor adherence are serious. Irregular and poor inhalation technique are linked to more hospitalisation