Clement Clarke International has announced the availability of a new smartphone app called the Trainhaler Buddy for use with its Trainhaler device to teach patients correct inhaler use technique. The Trainhaler Buddy app uses animations to provide visual feedback, reinforcing audio feedback provided by the whistling mouthpiece on the Trainhaler device, as the patient inhales.
The app and the Trainhaler device allow for assessment of inhalation technique, including speed, duration, and breath hold. According to Clement Clarke, a study using a similar app found that patients were able to improve their inhalation duration after three tries with the assistance of visual feedback.
The Trainhaler Buddy app, developed by Clin-e-cal for IOS and Android devices, is available as a free download for patients and healthcare providers.
Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust Lead Specialist Respiratory Research Nurse Jayne Longstaff commented, “The Trainhaler Buddy app is a simple, effective and reliable tool that is downloaded to a person’s mobile phone, and through real-time graphical representation provides instant and engaging feedback, ensuring that every patient is aware of the correct inspiratory effort to achieve maximum benefit from their medication.”
