Tele-Assessment Methods in Children With Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Childhood asthma is quite common. The airway responds unusually to triggers. There are episodes of recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and/or coughing that may change in intensity over time. Sudden contraction of airway smooth muscle may be reversible. It is characterized by common but also variable airflow obstruction. Different classifications can be made according to age, symptoms, severity and inflammation in the school and pre-school period. Generally, allergic asthma is common. It is also possible to have atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and food allergy in their personal and family history. In physical examination in children with asthma; They should be carefully examined for signs such as cyanosis, tachycardia, increased air trapping in the lungs, use of auxiliary respiratory muscles, intercostal/suprasternal/subcostal retractions, and difficulty in speaking. The degree of bronchospasm caused by physical activity differs from individual to individual and may vary daily depending on other triggers that the child is exposed to. Mucus accumulation due to the course of the disease, recurrent asthma attacks; It can cause pathological respiratory pattern, posture disorder and circulatory system disorders. In the later stages of the disease, continuous use of accessory respiratory muscles instead of the diaphragm leads to spinal immobility, shortening of the chest muscles, raised and dropped shoulders, forward tilt of the head, and shortening of the muscles around the hips and knees. In the chronic phase, inflammation of the lungs causes the body to deform. These negative physical changes can lead to problems with physical fitness and balance. Physical assessment plays a key role in detecting dysfunctions and activity limitations, establishing the rehabilitation program and determining its effectiveness. With the development of today's technology age, tele-assessment techniques allow professionals to remotely collect real-time data about the development of patients. It has been shown that video conferencing is a feasible and reliable method for evaluating patients with neurological symptoms. In a systematic study examining 41 articles investigating telehealth services and satisfaction; The findings show that patients are generally satisfied with the use of telemedicine. He argues that telemedicine is a low-cost model, increases access to health services, saves time, eliminates the need for travel, facilitates remote patient care and follow-up, and also improves health outcomes and/or quality. Therefore, the aim of our study; To compare the findings obtained with tele-assessment and clinical face-to-face evaluations on a scientific basis, where tele-applications are developing rapidly and their effectiveness has been proven by research, and according to the data to be obtained, an idea about the compatibility between remote evaluation of some parameters of asthmatic children such as physical fitness and flexibility, balance and face-to-face evaluations. is to own. In different situations where patients cannot reach the clinic (remote distance, pandemic, etc.), the evaluations to be made using the remote tele-assessment method can reflect the objective data and the continuity of the patient-health professional relationship can be maintained. The investigators also think that asthmatic children, whose physical evaluations can be made remotely with the data to be obtained, may have advantages such as transportation, weather conditions, school attendance, control of triggers (crowded environments, cigarette smoke, polluted air, etc.). The interviews will be recorded on the computer of the principal investigator and personal data will be recorded in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Law, the law and the rules of honesty, accurate and when necessary, for current, specific, clear and legitimate purposes, in connection with the purpose for which they are processed, limited and measured, for the purpose stipulated in the relevant legislation or for the purpose for which they are processed. Preservation rules will be followed for as long as necessary.