Nemours research trial aims to improve asthma treatment

Researchers looking for more patients to participate in study

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An estimated 7.1 million children battle asthma in the United States, and doctors at Nemours in Jacksonville are trying to improve the way they treat the ailment.

Nemours has launched a new asthma research trial -- with the help of iPads -- to help track asthma patients, their symptoms and attacks all from the comfort of their own home.

There is no cure for asthma, but researchers at Nemours are working around the clock to make some major improvements.

Dr. Kathryn Blake, the principal research scientist, said it's difficult to monitor a patient's every single dose, peak flow and overall lung function every single day, so doctors are putting the power of this study in part in the patients' hands.

Emerald Pierrain, 13, is participating in the study.

"I don't have to write as many things down. And I don't have to travel as far a lot, so I use the FaceTime app on there," Emerald said. "In the beginning, it was 'What happens in an asthma attack?' like on the daily and nightly report things I have to do. … They ask you certain questions like, 'Have you had an asthma attack today? How many doses of your medicine have you taken?' Making sure I've taken my study discus."

The Georgia eighth-grader is one of 10 people, ages 12-17, involved in the asthma study.

"Even though death rates have gone down, hospitalization rates and ER rates have gone up over the last 10 years," Blake said. "So why is that?"

Patients in the study log in twice a day with a morning and evening app and go down a checklist of questions: everything from medication to lung function and peak flows are collected and calibrated with their age, height and weight. A detailed report is then emailed to the doctor every day.

"When families log in in the evening to fill in their report, there are a bunch of little radio buttons and they click yes or no, and depending on which ones they answer, there might be other questions," Blake explained. "For example, if they had an urgent care visit, we want to know more about it."

Emerald's mother, Anna Pierrain, said the trial has been a blessing.

"Their life is stopped a lot of times with asthma," Pierrain said. "She wasn't able to get out and play the sports she wanted to do. She couldn't do the activities, so with this and any study that can help a young child to a teenager, I was for that."

For Emerald, it's a small part she can play in helping teenagers just like her in the future.

"I think it's great," Emerald said. "I think it's great that they're taking the time to put together a study for kids who have asthma, because it really helps."

Nemours has 10 patients in the trial so far, but the researchers are looking for 60.

To sign up, patients need to be 12-17 years old and have good control over their asthma right now. Both boys and girls are accepted for the study, which will last 12 to 18 months. 

The researchers hope to publish their findings in various medical journals once the work is complete.

For more information, email: asthmaresearch@nemours.org or go to www.nemours.org/research