Abstract
Introduction: Digital Therapeutics (DTx) is an emerging field of medicine that combines remote monitoring, behaviour modification and personalized intervention to improve health outcomes and health care efficiency. The idea behind DTx is that software can produce drug-like efficacy. DTx are evaluated in clinical trials, regulated by regulatory agencies and prescribed by doctors. The aim of the present review is to analyse the current stat of the art about DTx for asthma and COPD and to provide guidelines for their development.
Methods: We searched PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov and Websites to identify DTx for asthma and COPD. Additional information on the development of DTx was requested from various DTx manufacturers. Interviews with research study investigators were performed to get their experience with these digital health technologies.
Results: We have identified 5 DTx for asthma and COPD: Hailie (Adherium), Respiro (Amiko), Propeller (Propeller Health), BreatheSmart (Cohero Health) and CareTRx (Teva). All of them combine sensor devices, mApp fors for patients, and cloud-based software for healthcare professionals. Quality and levels of evidence supporting efficacy, safety and value of DTx are highly different and variable. Guidelines for the development of DTx have been developed.
Conclusions: DTx have the potential to transform treatment of asthma and COPD. Evidence-based results supporting adoption are highly variable. We proposed guidelines to ensure that DTx manufacturers understand the evidence they need to show to meet the needs of the health and care system, patients, and users.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA735.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019