Asthma apps

There are variety of mobile apps available for people with asthma. These can be a useful way to learn about and take control of your asthma. Asthma apps can help you keep track of your symptoms, triggers, peak flow readings and medication. You can also create an asthma action plan, together with your doctor or nurse. The Health Navigator team has reviewed some asthma apps that you may like to consider.

App	Features	Clinical review
My Asthma app	Education and information Asthma action plan Developed by Asthma + Respiratory NZ Country of origin: New Zealand Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about My Asthma App
Hailie app	Smart inhaler Medication reminders for inhalers Audiovisual reminder Electronically monitors compliance Syncs to phone Track peak flow (manual input) Country of origin: New Zealand Requires a subscription One sensor plus app: $99.50 per year Two sensors plus app: $149.50 per year Read more about Hailie app	At current price If on sale
Asthma MD	Symptom tracking Trigger recording Peak flow diary Medication tracking Medication reminder Appointment reminder Reports for sharing Available from Google Play and iTunes Cost: free Read more about Asthma MD
Wizdy pets - Asthma Game	Education and information Games Designed for children
Reviewed apps that are no longer available Kids Beating Asthma Asthma Check app Asthma Friendly Classroom

Living well with asthma

7 simple steps to help you take control of your asthma:

Know your symptoms and understand your asthma.
Know how your medicines work.
Take your preventer and symptoms controller every day.
Know your triggers and avoid them where possible.
Use a peak flow meter and/or symptom diary.
Understand and follow a self-management plan.
Keep in touch with your doctor.

Learn more about controlling your asthma.

Disclaimer: Health Navigator’s app library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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Page last updated: 25 Mar 2022

Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game	By Lifeguard Games Inc
	Features Education and information Games Designed for children Get the app from
Clinical review
User reviews	(0 reviews) Be the first to rate this app!
Cost	Free

What does the app do?

This app aims to to educate children about asthma, in an enjoyable, entertaining game. In the game, kids adopt a fire-breathing dragon who wants to blow fire like all of its friends, but can't because it has asthma. It's up to kids to care for their pet's asthma. During the game kids learn about asthma care, inhaler timing, inhaler technique, triggers, symptom recognition and appropriate actions to avoid asthma attacks. As children keep their pet dragon healthy, they will unlock each new level and they earn badges by completing missions (there are 30 badges in all). For a more detailed description of the app, got to the website, Google Play or iTunes and for a detailed review, see Reviews.

Wizdy pets screenshots

PROS	CONS
✔ Teaches children about asthma - fun and interactive way to teach children about asthma and introduce words like rescue inhaler, spacer, etc. ✔ The bright colours and bold images are appealing to children, and the reward badges are an incentive to keep playing.	✘ Spacer technique isn’t quite correct, the game shows using one breath rather than four. ✘ You can’t customise inhaler colours. For example the reliver inhaler is red but most children in NZ will have a blue reliever. ✘ The game only allows you to use MDI devices not others, however most children will be using MDIs. ✘ I found that there was not very much emphasis on the difference between preventers and relievers. ✘ The simplistic graphics is targeted to a younger age group - may not appeal to older kids. ✘ Repeated playing of the game can lead to boredom — periodic upgrades would be an advantage.

PROS

CONS

✔ Teaches children about asthma - fun and interactive way to teach children about asthma and introduce words like rescue inhaler, spacer, etc.

✔ The bright colours and bold images are appealing to children, and the reward badges are an incentive to keep playing.

✘ Spacer technique isn’t quite correct, the game shows using one breath rather than four.

✘ You can’t customise inhaler colours. For example the reliver inhaler is red but most children in NZ will have a blue reliever.

✘ The game only allows you to use MDI devices not others, however most children will be using MDIs.

✘ I found that there was not very much emphasis on the difference between preventers and relievers.

✘ The simplistic graphics is targeted to a younger age group - may not appeal to older kids.

✘ Repeated playing of the game can lead to boredom — periodic upgrades would be an advantage.

Privacy and security

To be added. Read more about things you can do to improve your safety and security when using apps.

Review details

Date of review: March 2017
Platform reviewed: Android
App version: 3.0
Download size: 44.3 MB

Learn more

School Asthma Checklist Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ
Apps that could help you manage or learn about your asthma Montana Asthma Control Program
Connected asthma: how technology will transform care Asthma UK
Hui CY, Walton R, McKinstry B, et al. The use of mobile applications to support self-management for people with asthma: a systematic review of controlled studies to identify features associated with clinical effectiveness and adherence. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2016 Oct 2.
Cook KA, Modena BD, Simon RA. Improvement in Asthma Control Using a Minimally Burdensome and Proactive Smartphone Application. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jul-Aug;4(4):730-737.
Househ M, Hossain N, Jamal A, et al. A cross-sectional content analysis of Android applications for asthma. Health Informatics J. 2016 Mar 3.
Wu AC, Carpenter JF, Himes BE. Mobile health applications for asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015 May-Jun;3(3):446-8
Huckvale K, Morrison C, Ouyang J, et al. The evolution of mobile apps for asthma: an updated systematic assessment of content and tools. BMC Med. 2015 Mar 23;13:58.
Marcano Belisario JS, Huckvale K, et al. Smartphone and tablet self management apps for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Nov 27;(11)

App developer
If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at applibrary@healthnavigator.org.nz.