Training inhaler improves technique
26 July 2007

A practice inhaler containing no drugs could improve quality of life for People with asthma, according to researchers at the University of Bradford.

The metered dose inhaler (MDI) is the most widely used inhaler, but for many people, poor technique means that they don’t receive a full dose of medicine when they take a puff.

The 2Tone Trainer (2T), a device that looks like the MDI but has no drug canister, makes a '2-tone' sound when used incorrectly but only '1-tone' when users inhale in the correct way. It was recently introduced to help people achieve the optimal inhalation rate when using the MDI.

The researchers believe that the cost of the device would be offset by reduced asthma symptoms as a result of improved inhaler technique, and also by eliminating the need to reprise inhaler technique at subsequent clinic visits.

Erica Evans, Asthma UK’s Care Development Manager, said: ‘Poor inhaler technique is a common problem, so we welcome anything that helps people learn the most effective way to use theirs.

'In some cases, alternative asthma medicines will be available. Another option is a spacer, which delivers asthma medicine to the lungs and makes an inhaler easier to use. One of the best ways of getting control over asthma is to have an inhaler which is effective for you, so if your asthma is not under control then speak to your doctor or asthma nurse to find one which suits you.'