Abstract
The effects of supplementary computer instruction in house dust mite-avoidance measures on adherence to implementing measures, on home dust mite-allergen levels, and on symptomatology were investigated in 52 adult patients with mite-associated asthma. Twenty-six patients received conventional instruction (counseling and written instruction) and the other 26 patients received conventional plus 22 minutes of interactive computer-assisted instruction. Instructions were aimed at mite-avoidance measures. Pre- and postinstruction dust samples were collected, and adherence was monitored. All patients kept symptom diaries twice a day. Patients' progress was followed for 12 weeks, and all patients completed the study. Adherence, number of observed and self-reported mite-avoidance measures implemented after visit, was higher for the computer group (p = 0.023). The computer-instructed group achieved significantly lower levels of mite allergen in bedroom carpets (p = 0.004) with mean levels of mite allergen declining from 6.5 ± 7.6 to 2.2 ± 4.3 μg/gm of dust (two-site monoclonal antibody assays), whereas levels for the conventional-instructed group did not change. Moreover, by study weeks 9 and 10, the computer-instructed group was significantly less symptomatic (p = 0.033). Mean symptom scores for this group decreased from 12.4 to 7.7, compared with 16.4 to 14.3. Conventional instruction supplemented with computer instruction is suggested in mite education.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 836-843 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology |
Volume | 89 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Education
- adherence
- allergen
- asthma
- avoidance
- computer
- environment
- home visits
- mite allergy
- symptomatology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology