Patients also used their rescue inhalers less often with the help of a digital health tool, according to new research
MADISON, Wisc., November 19, 2020 – Patients using Propeller Health to manage their asthma experienced a significant decline in rescue inhaler use and higher medication adherence rates compared to patients not using the platform, according to a new randomized controlled trial published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice by researchers from Propeller and NorthShore University HealthSystem.
The study’s treatment group maintained their high medication adherence at 68%, while the control group experienced a 17% decline in adherence over the course of the study. 
In addition, Propeller users’ days without needing their rescue inhaler increased 19% in the treatment group, 13% more than in the control group.
Poor adherence to asthma medication and overuse of rescue inhalers have both been associated with increased asthma morbidity in previous research.1 Patients often overestimate their level of adherence to their clinician, leading to costly treatments that may not be appropriate or necessary to curb symptoms.2,3
“Increasing adherence and reducing rescue use are critical to improving the health and well-being of asthma patients,” said Giselle Monsaim, MD, lead author of the study and attending physician in the Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Immunology at NorthShore University HealthSystem. “We’re pleased to add to the body of research that shows digital health can play an important role in maintaining high adherence rates and increasing days without symptoms for people with asthma.”
“Digital health is particularly powerful when used in partnership with a patient’s clinician,” said David Van Sickle, CEO and co-founder of Propeller Health. “This study provides more evidence that clinician-led digital health programs can have a tremendous impact on outcomes, and that the clinician’s involvement helps to keep patients engaged, motivated and ultimately healthier.”
Details of the study
The published study features a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 100 patients with uncontrolled asthma, 25 to 65 years of age. Patients were recruited between April 2018 and 2019 from allergist and pulmonologist practices at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Chicago.
Treatment and control group participants both attached a small sensor to their controller and rescue inhalers. The treatment group received insights on their medication use in the Propeller app, including reminders to take missed or late doses and reports on their usage and possible triggers.
Clinicians had access to the treatment patients’ controller and rescue medication data. If patient utilization indicated poor adherence or worsening control, patients were contacted to address adherence and review asthma control status.
The control group’s medication use was remotely monitored, but they did not receive insights in the app or outreach from providers.
In previous clinical studies, the Propeller platform has been shown to increase asthma control by up to 63 percent4 and reduce asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations by as much as 57 percent.5
1 Williams LK et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2004
2 Adams SA et al. Am J Epidemiol 2005
3 Anderson WC et al. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2019
4 Merchant RK et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2016
5 Merchant RK et al. World Allergy Org J 2018
About Propeller Health
Propeller Health is a leading digital health company dedicated to making life better for every person with chronic respiratory disease. Propeller creates products to more effectively treat chronic respiratory disease and improve clinical outcomes for patients through connectivity, analytics, and companion digital experiences. The Propeller platform is used by patients, physicians and healthcare organizations in the United States, Europe and Asia. Propeller Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD). For more information, visit http://www.propellerhealth.com.