🫁 Asthma Control Test (ACT)
Assess asthma control over 4 weeks with the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
Clinical takeaway
≤ 19 suggests suboptimal control.
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When to use
Monitor and optimise asthma control.
How it works
Five items scored 1–5; total 5–25. ≥ 20 well controlled, 16–19 not well, ≤ 15 poorly controlled.
Key points
- ≤ 19 suggests suboptimal control.
- Review adherence and inhaler technique before stepping up.
- Useful for tracking response.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| 1. Time asthma kept you from getting things done | All the time (1) |
|---|---|
| 2. Shortness of breath | > 1×/day (1) |
| 3. Night-time/early waking symptoms | ≥ 4 nights/week (1) |
| 4. Use of rescue inhaler | ≥ 3×/day (1) |
| 5. Self-rated control | Not controlled (1) |
→ACT5/25
- Control：Poorly controlled
- Note：≥ 20 well controlled; ≤ 19 suggests room to optimise therapy.
| 1. Time asthma kept you from getting things done | None (5) |
|---|---|
| 2. Shortness of breath | Not at all (5) |
| 3. Night-time/early waking symptoms | Not at all (5) |
| 4. Use of rescue inhaler | Not at all (5) |
| 5. Self-rated control | Completely (5) |
→ACT25/25
- Control：Well controlled
- Note：≥ 20 well controlled; ≤ 19 suggests room to optimise therapy.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Asthma Control Test (ACT)?
- Assess asthma control over 4 weeks with the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
- How is Asthma Control Test (ACT) calculated? What is the core formula?
- Five items scored 1–5; total 5–25. ≥ 20 well controlled, 16–19 not well, ≤ 15 poorly controlled.
- When is Asthma Control Test (ACT) used?
- Monitor and optimise asthma control.
- What are the key clinical points for Asthma Control Test (ACT)?
- ≤ 19 suggests suboptimal control. Review adherence and inhaler technique before stepping up. Useful for tracking response.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Asthma Control Test (ACT)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Asthma Control Test (ACT) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: 1. Time asthma kept you from getting things done All the time (1), 2. Shortness of breath > 1×/day (1), 3. Night-time/early waking symptoms ≥ 4 nights/week (1), 4. Use of rescue inhaler ≥ 3×/day (1), 5. Self-rated control Not controlled (1) → Result: ACT 5 /25（Control: Poorly controlled, Note: ≥ 20 well controlled; ≤ 19 suggests room to optimise therapy.） Inputs: 1. Time asthma kept you from getting things done None (5), 2. Shortness of breath Not at all (5), 3. Night-time/early waking symptoms Not at all (5), 4. Use of rescue inhaler Not at all (5), 5. Self-rated control Completely (5) → Result: ACT 25 /25（Control: Well controlled, Note: ≥ 20 well controlled; ≤ 19 suggests room to optimise therapy.）