The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has released draft guidance recommending eight digital platforms aimed at assisting individuals with asthma in managing their condition more effectively.
Recommended Digital Technologies
- Asthmahub
- Asthmahub for parents
- AsthmaTuner
- Digital Health Passport
- Luscii
- myAsthma
- RDMP (Respiratory Disease Management Platform)
- Smart Asthma
These platforms are recommended for use within the NHS while further evidence is gathered over the next three years, according to the draft guidance.
Insights from NICE
Dr. Anastasia Chalkidou, HealthTech programme director at NICE, stated:
“Our independent committee has rigorously assessed the evidence for these digital technologies and concluded they show real promise in helping people better manage their asthma. By recommending earlier access to these innovations while further evidence is gathered, we’re providing care to patients and healthcare professionals more quickly, while ensuring value for the NHS.”
Dr. Chalkidou also highlighted the importance of addressing health inequalities, noting that individuals from deprived areas are three times more likely to suffer from asthma and experience poorer outcomes. The recommended technologies aim to offer personalized support in accessible formats.
Potential Benefits of Digital Tools
With approximately 5.4 million people in the UK receiving treatment for asthma, these digital tools could:
- Empower patients to take a more active role in managing their condition.
- Improve quality of life.
- Provide personalized asthma action plans that guide users on managing symptoms.
- Include tools for tracking symptoms and medication.
- Send reminders for inhaler use.
- Offer educational content, including videos on inhaler techniques.
The draft guidance emphasizes that these technologies are intended to complement regular healthcare appointments rather than replace them. They provide a more accessible alternative to traditional paper-based action plans, which can be easily misplaced.
Evidence of Effectiveness
Initial findings suggest that these digital tools can:
- Enhance asthma control scores.
- Reduce hospital visits.
- Help patients use their medication more effectively.
Users have reported that these technologies are user-friendly and beneficial for boosting their confidence in managing asthma.
Additional Guidance on Spirometry Technologies
NICE has also issued separate draft guidance regarding digital technologies that utilize algorithms to assist in diagnosing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through spirometry testing. One technology, ArtiQ.Spiro, is recommended for use in NHS settings during an evidence generation period.
These digital tools leverage AI and structured guidelines to evaluate the quality of spirometry tests, interpret results, and aid in diagnosis. However, four other technologies—EasyOne Connect, GoSpiro, LungHealth, and MIR Spiro—require further research before they can be recommended for NHS use.
Both sets of draft guidance are open for consultation until 21 January 2026.