Inhaled agents are widely used in the treatment of chronic airway diseases. Correct technique is required to ensure appropriate drug deposition, but poor technique is common. This study investigated whether inhalation technique could be improved by patient training using short videos from the German Airway League.

Outpatients from a university hospital respiratory clinic who had incorrect inhalation technique were asked to demonstrate this again immediately after viewing the training videos, and after 4–8 weeks' follow-up. Inhalation technique was rated by a study nurse using specific checklists.

One hundred and twelve patients with obstructive lung disease treated with inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids were included. More than half (51.8%) had at least one mistake in inhalation technique at baseline. Of these, most (88%) understood the training videos, 76% demonstrated correct device use immediately after training, and 72% were still able to demonstrate correct inhalation technique at follow-up (p = 0.0008 for trend). In addition, the number of mistakes decreased significantly after video training (by 1.82 [95% confidence interval 1.39–2.25]; p < 0.0001 vs. baseline).

German Airway League inhalation technique training videos were easy to understand and effectively improved inhalation technique in patients with airway diseases.