RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Improving Quality of Life for Teenagers With Asthma

This study explores a new way to help teenagers with asthma lead better lives. Many teens struggle with their asthma, even with treatment, often because they find it hard to fit their care into their daily lives or build confidence. Researchers previously developed a special consultation where doctors focus on areas where a teenager feels less confident about managing their asthma. This new study will compare this special consultation with a standard one. Teenagers aged 12-18 with asthma will be randomly chosen to either have the special consultation or their usual appointment. The study will then check if those who had the special consultation have a better quality of life three months later. If successful, it could help many young people better manage their asthma and feel healthier.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

26 Aug 2025

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2027

Asthma in Children Asthma

What is this study about?

Asthma is a common lung condition in the UK, and it affects many children and teenagers. While some young people manage their asthma well, others still have regular symptoms and even asthma attacks that can lead to hospital visits. It's not always just about taking medicine; teenagers often face challenges like managing their condition alongside school, friends, and everyday life, or avoiding triggers like smoking. Doctors also sometimes find it hard to help teenagers with these unique challenges.

Researchers funded by Asthma + Lung UK previously created a new way for doctors to talk to teenagers about their asthma. This approach focuses on something called 'self-efficacy,' which basically means how confident you feel about doing something. Teenagers filled out a questionnaire about their asthma, and then doctors used this information to tailor their advice and support specifically to what each teenager needed most. This previous work showed that this special approach helped teenagers feel more confident about looking after their asthma.

This new study wants to take that idea a step further. We know that feeling confident is good, but does it actually make things better in their daily lives? This study aims to find out if this special consultation, which helps teenagers feel more confident, also improves their overall quality of life – meaning how well they feel and how much they can enjoy their daily activities without asthma getting in the way. If this new way of talking to teenagers works, it could be a really helpful tool for doctors and nurses to support many more young people with asthma.

Key takeaways

This study aims to improve life for teenagers with asthma.
It tests a new way doctors talk to teens, focusing on their confidence.
Teenagers will have either a tailored or a usual asthma consultation.
The goal is to see if this new approach boosts quality of life.
Participation involves questionnaires and regular clinic visits.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for teenagers with asthma aged between 12 and 18 years old. To take part, you need to be attending a children's lung clinic at a hospital.

For those aged 16 or over, you'll need to give your own permission to join. If you're 15 or younger, both you and a parent or guardian will need to agree. You also need to have experienced some impact on your quality of life due to your asthma; a short questionnaire will help check this.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if you have another serious long-term health condition that affects your daily life (though common allergy conditions, certain breathing problems, or throat issues related to breathing are usually fine). Also, if you or your parent/guardian can't understand or communicate well enough to complete the forms, you wouldn't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 12 and 18 years old?
Do you attend a children's lung clinic for asthma?
Do you have asthma that affects your daily life?
Can you understand and communicate well enough to fill out forms?
Do you *not* have another serious long-term health condition that greatly impacts your life?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll visit your hospital lung clinic as you normally would. At the start of your appointment, you'll complete a questionnaire on a tablet or computer. This questionnaire helps understand how confident you feel about managing your asthma. After that, you'll be randomly put into one of two groups, like flipping a coin for fairness.

In one group, your doctor will use the information from your questionnaire to guide your consultation, focusing on areas where you might need more support or confidence in managing your asthma. In the other group, you'll have your usual clinic appointment without this specific focus. Both types of appointments will aim to help you with your asthma. Three months after your appointment, you'll be asked to complete a short questionnaire again, either when you're at the clinic for a follow-up or online from home. This will help the researchers see if there's any difference in your quality of life between the two groups. The total time you'd be involved in the study would be about three months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some benefits, such as potentially receiving an asthma consultation specifically tailored to your needs, which could help you feel more confident and improve your quality of life with asthma. However, there's no guarantee that you will personally benefit. The study itself poses very few risks; it primarily involves completing questionnaires and discussing your asthma with your doctor during a regular clinic visit. As with any study, you are free to change your mind and stop participating at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Southampton, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Isle of Wight NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital
Verified postcode
Isle of Wight, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'quality of life' in this study?

'Quality of life' means how well you feel and how much your asthma affects your daily activities, like school, sports, or spending time with friends.

What does 'self-efficacy' mean?

It means how confident you feel about doing certain things, like remembering to take your inhaler or knowing what to do during an asthma flare-up.

Will I get special treatment if I join?

You might get a consultation specifically designed to help you feel more confident managing your asthma, or you might have your usual appointment. Both are aimed at helping you.

Do I have to take part?

No, joining the study is completely your choice. Your decision won't affect the care you receive from your doctor or clinic.

How long will I be in the study?

You'll be involved for about three months in total, mainly for your clinic visit and a follow-up questionnaire.

How to find out more

Anna Rattu

a.s.rattu@soton.ac.uk +44 (0)23 8059 6835 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.