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Allergic Rhinitis Improvement Through Strategic Education: The ARISE Trial
Allergic Rhinitis, or hay fever, is a common allergic chronic condition that affects many Australians, with its prevalence rates increasing each year due to environmental factors and affects all age groups. Evidence shows a large proportion of individuals with hay fever, whether it is seasonal, perennial (all year round) or occupational, will not seek medical help and instead rely on over the counter medications. This often leads to inadequate treatment and poor control of symptoms, impacting their quality of life, symptom burnout and economic burden.
There are effective treatments available including intranasal antihistamines (INAH), intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) or combination INCS/INAH, but they need to be used correctly and as directed for best results. Previous studies have shown that many adults and children who use INCS/INAH do not know the right way to use them because they are not provided with enough education and awareness. Studies also show that adolescents and young adults are more likely to not follow their treatment plan because they worry about minor side effects INCS/INAH can cause and misconceptions that can come from a lack of education.
However, these concerns can be avoided if they are guided and educated on the correct techniques, knowledge through repeat education. This study aims to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of a new Allergic Rhinitis (AR) education package used in conjunction with daily INCS/INAH in reducing AR symptomatology and improving quality of life, in comparison to the standard of care education that is currently provided via treating healthcare professionals. Ultimately, it is hoped the results of this study will improve education management of those living with the burden of AR.
This flows on to benefit families, carers, the healthcare system and the wider community.
Study details:
Participants will be recruited following standard consultations with their regular treating clinician and confirmation of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis diagnosis and a positive Skin Prick Test (SPT) to at least one environmental allergen. The treating clinician will provide patients with a recommendation/ prescription (if required) for Combination Intra-nasal corticosteroids and Intranasal antihistamine spray (INCS/INAH) and the minimum standard of care education including demonstration of correct INCS/INAH application technique and a personalised Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Allergic Rhinitis (AR) Treatment Plan. Patients aged 14-29 years old will be recruited following initial standard consultations and confirmation of moderate to severe AR diagnosis (defined by Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines if AR symptoms significantly affect sleep or activities of daily living, and/or if they are considered bothersome) and a positive skin prick test for one or more aeroallergens.
The treating clinician will provide patients with a recommendation/ prescription (if required) for INCS/INAH and the minimum standard of care education containing information on dosing instructions/correct INCS/INAH application technique and a personalised ASCIA AR Treatment Plan. The treating clinician will inform their potentially eligible patients about the study and provide them with recruitment aids in the form of an A5 study flyer to register their interest and receive more information. If patients wish to know more about the study, they will be able to register their interest via an online form.
The primary site study team will contact the patient after receiving their expression of interest via a telehealth video call to discuss the study and answer any questions. If the patient is deemed eligible, informed consent will be completed via an eConsent process. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to receive either the Enhanced Education Package (EEP) or continue with the standard of care education that they receive from their treating clinician.
The EEP includes an advanced patient education toolkit and reminders delivered by email/SMS. After randomisation, the study team will confirm participants received the standard of care education resources at their consult visit with their treating clinician. The study team will re-educate and discuss these educational resources with them.
Participants randomised to the intervention arm (Enhanced Education Package) will receive an advanced patient education toolkit and reminders delivered by email/SMS in addition to the standard education provided by their treating clinician. Participants randomised to the control arm will receive the basic standard of care education delivered by their treating clinician. Both groups are reminded to continue to see their treating clinician and to attend any appointments they may have.
Eligibility criteria
Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. See if you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria
Eligibility
Age eligible for study : 14 and older
Healthy volunteers accepted : No
Gender eligible for study: All
Things to know
Study dates
Study start: 2024-12-01
Primary completion: 2025-09-30
Study completion finish: 2026-05-31
Study type
TREATMENT
Phase
NA
Trial ID
NCT06686446
Intervention or treatment
BEHAVIORAL: Enhanced Education Package
Conditions
- • Allergy
Find a site
Closest Location:
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Research sites nearby
Select from list below to view details:
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Study Plan
This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
How is the study designed?
| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
EXPERIMENTAL: Enhanced Education Package
| BEHAVIORAL: Enhanced Education Package
|
NO_INTERVENTION: Standard of care
| Not specified |
What is the study measuring?
Primary outcome
| Primary Outcome Measure | Primary Outcome Description | Primary Outcome Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Difference between the two treatment arms (experimental versus standard of care) in participant nasal symptomatology: Change in total scores 3 months post commencement of INAH/INCS | Patient reported nasal symptomatology scores completed using the validated Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) questionnaire. The TNSS questionnaire is a validated questionnaire to assess nasal symptomatology and consists of 3 questions. Total scores are calculated by adding the sum of completed items. Questions are based on a 3 point Likert scale, with scores of 6 or more indicating moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. | Baseline and 3-months post-randomisation |
Secondary outcome
| Secondary Outcome Measure | Secondary Outcome Description | Secondary Outcome Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Difference between treatment arms in participant nasal symptomatology: Change in total scores 9 months post commencement of INAH/INCS | Patient reported nasal symptomatology scores completed using the validated Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) questionnaire. The TNSS questionnaire is validated questionnaire to assess nasal symptomatology and consists of 3 questions. Total scores are calculated by adding the sum of completed items. Questions are based on a 3 point Likert scale, with scores of 6 or more indicating moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. | Baseline and 9-months post-randomisation |
| Change between treatment arms in participant ocular symptomatology | Patient reported ocular symptomatology scores completed using the Total ocular symptom score (TOSS) questionnaire. The TOSS questionnaire is validated questionnaire to assess ocular symptomatology and consists of 3 questions. Total scores are calculated by adding the sum of completed items. Questions are based on a 3 point Likert scale, with scores of 6 or more indicating moderate to severe allergic rhinitis. | Baseline, 3-months post randomisation and 9-months post randomisation |
| Mean change between treatment arms in Quality of Life Scores using the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) | The Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) questionnaire is validated questionnaire to assess Allergy Rhinitis symptoms and impact on quality of life. It is completed by participants and consists of 6 questionnaires. Total scores are calculated by adding the sum of completed items. Questions are based on a 5 point Likert scale, with scores of 21 or less indicating greater impact on quality of life. | Baseline, 3 months post randomisation, 9 months post randomisation |
| Change between treatment arms in participant knowledge, attitude and practice on nasal steroid and its uses | The Allergic Rhinitis Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) are disease-specific questionnaire for participants with allergy rhinitis. The KAP is completed by participants and consists of 12 items over 3 domains (knowledge, attitudes and practice). The knowledge section is based on a 3 point Likert scale using Yes, Not sure and No. Attitude section is based on a 6 point Likert scale and total and scores are calculated by the sum of completed items. Higher scores indicating positive attitudes towards their health condition. Practice section is based on a 5 point Likert scale and total and scores are calculated by the sum of completed items. Higher scores indicating excellent practice in treating their health condition. Each section will be scored separately. | Baseline, 3 months and 9 months post randomisation |
| Change between treatment arms in total scores for participant INCS/INAH application technique | INCS/INAH application technique will be observed by the study nurses/research assistants and scored using the current Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Guidelines checklist. There are total of 6 steps and each step achieved will be given a score of 1. If not achieved a score of 0 will be given. Total scores are calculated by the sum of all 6 steps. Higher scores indicating excellent knowledge and practice in technique. | Baseline, 3-months and 9-months post-randomisation |
| Change between treatment arms in participant engagement with educational resources from baseline to 3 months | Participants randomized to the EEP will be asked about education resources at baseline and if they are currently using them. Each participant will receive education toolkit with links to the current educational resources available via eNewsletters every month during the 3 month intervention window. Campaign monitor analytics will be used to record number of clicks on the educational resources provided. Higher the clicks indicates greater participant engagement. | Baseline then at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months |
Frequently Asked Questions
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