Cohort Multiple Randomized Controlled Trial in Pediatric Asthma

Rationale: Testing of eHealth interventions seems crucial since eHealth provides possibilities to obtain a real-time and objective view of asthma symptoms. Traditional randomized controlled trials(RCTs) face challenges in evaluating the effect of multiple eHealth components separately and in the long process of translating intervention ideas into funded research protocols, which may risk the eHealth intervention becoming outdated. Objective: This study aims to provide a framework to assess the effect of (eHealth) interventions and generate short- and long-term data on clinical and patient-reported outcomes of asthmatic children using a cohort multiple Randomized Controlled Trial (cmRCT) design. Study design: The CIRCUS study is a cmRCT designed to test multiple eHealth interventions in eligible asthmatic children (4-18 years old, treated in MST) within a cohort. Observational clinical data is collected of these children and both the children and their parents regularly complete questionnaires. In addition, a random selection of eligible children is approached for participation in interventions while the non-selected children remain in the control group. Study population: Included children are 4-18 years old, diagnosed with asthma following the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria and treated in Medisch Spectrum Twente at Enschede. Main study parameters/endpoints: Primary outcome measures are Quality of life(QoL), asthma outcomes(asthma control, lung function), quality of care, self-management capacity, healthcare use, and therapy compliance. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit, and group relatedness: Children and parents fill out questionnaires on a monthly and half-yearly basis. The questionnaires include: (C)-ACT, PAQLQ, CSQ-4, and PAM-13. In consultation with the patient panel we chose the shortest validated questionnaires to reduce the study burden. Other data (for example healthcare use) is collected by the researchers. No relevant risks were found in the risk analysis. We chose to use this group of children in this study as asthma management in children differs from that in adults.