What's involved?
Study Information
Capturing insights about your health in real-time to inform better asthma attack detection and prediction
THE DIGIPREDICT study
Using digital technology to capture early changes in asthma attack risk
This study aims to use everyday technology to capture changes in your asthma control so we can develop alerts about your asthma attack risk. This study will follow 300 people who have had an asthma attack in the last 12 months over 6 months.
What?
Asthma is one of the most common long-term conditions in Aotearoa, New Zealand, affecting 1 in 7 children and 1 in 8 adults. Of these people with asthma, 1 in 4 experience an asthma attack each year. The rates of asthma attacks in NZ are increasing but we do not yet know why this is the case. Asthma attacks are highly preventable if detected early. The aim of our research is to find out how we can use everyday technologies to capture early changes in asthma attack risk and prevent an attack from happening.
Who?
We are looking for people who have had an asthma attack in the last 12 months, who are 12 years old and above, who would like to use digital technology to gain insights into their health and their asthma.
How?
The DIGIPREDICT study aims to recruit 300 people, 12 years and above, who have had an asthma attack in the last 12 months. Each person to takes part will receive the following smart technology to use regularly over 6 months:
- A smart watch
- Smart inhaler
- AI cough monitor app
Where?
Currently we are recruiting from the Auckland and Waikato region. In Auckland, the study site will be the Grafton campus at the University of Auckland (just opposite Auckland Hospital) and Papakura Marae Health, located in Central and South Auckland respectively. In Waikato, the study site will be Waikato Hospital, Waiora Waikato Hospital Campus. Asthma New Zealand nurses from the Auckland region will make community referrals. If you are located outside these areas, you may still be able to take part if you can travel to these regions for the initial study visit and one 6 months after, or are happy to take part remotely.
When?
The study has been open for recruitment since August 2023 and is enrolling now. Get in touch if you're interested. You can sign up any time for the first enrolment visit. There are only two in-person visits - one at the beginning and one at 6 months after enrolment.