Evaluating Asthma Education: A Comparison of WhatsApp-Based Digital Interventions and Traditional Techniques

Authors

Rama Parthasarathy, PSG COLLEGE OF PHARMACYFollow
Jayakumar Rajagopal, Department of Respiratory Medicine, PSG HospitalsFollow
Sona Primuha Sugumaran, PSG COLLEGE OF PHARMACYFollow
Sharon Angelin Johnson, PSG COLLEGE OF PHARMACYFollow
Sai Shyam Kumar Nappa Selvam, PSG COLLEGE OF PHARMACYFollow
Karthikeyan Ramaraju, Department of Respiratory Medicine, PSG HositalsFollow

Abstract

Background and Aims: Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting people of all age group, which is characterized by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airway. Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are the symptoms. The main complication faced by asthma patient is poor medication adherence; to overcome this patient counseling was performed. In this patient education was given through both digital and direct approaches. It is important to find out whether the above-mentioned approaches improve medication adherence. This research specifically investigates whether digital approaches through WhatsApp can directly improve asthma control compared to traditional methods. Methods: A prospective comparative study is conducted in the pulmonology department for duration of 6 months (March 2023–September 2023). The study population includes patients who are in the age group of 18–65 under inhaler therapy. The asthma control test (ACT), asthma therapy assessment questionnaire, and medication adherence questionnaire are the study tools that are used to assess the subjects. Statistical analysis was performed by Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences software analysis version 26. Results: Patient education through a digital and direct approach was studied. The comprehensive comparative analysis favored the digital approach, as indicated by mean difference scores and a statistically significant P-value. The digital group exhibited a statistically significant improvement in asthma control, with ACT scores increasing from 20.08 ± 2.40 to 23.76 ± 2.25 (mean difference = 3.68, P = 0.03), and a reduction in poor adherence from 66% to 34% (P = 0.00). Conclusion: Both approaches demonstrated improvements in asthma control and medication adherence, with the digital approach exhibiting a more significant positive shift. The active engagement in the digital tool application highlighted the efficiency of immediate responders, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to address individual patient preferences and challenges.

DOI

10.56808/3027-7922.2920

Recommended Citation

Parthasarathy, Rama; Rajagopal, Jayakumar; Sugumaran, Sona Primuha; Johnson, Sharon Angelin; Nappa Selvam, Sai Shyam Kumar; and Ramaraju, Karthikeyan (2025) "Evaluating Asthma Education: A Comparison of WhatsApp-Based Digital Interventions and Traditional Techniques," The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Vol. 49: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/3027-7922.2920
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjps/vol49/iss1/1