Five questions about the last four weeks, each scored 1 to 5, for a total of 5 to 25. The ACT is one of the most used asthma control measures in trials and clinics. Build it as a phone questionnaire with the licence details recorded on the form.
Free sandbox · No credit card · 21 CFR Part 11 aligned
Week 12 total
21 / 25
At a glance
In trials
The ACT gives a quick, patient-reported view of asthma control that complements lung function. Trials use it at screening to confirm uncontrolled asthma as an inclusion criterion, and at later visits as a secondary endpoint alongside FEV1, exacerbation rates and rescue medication use. Because it takes about a minute, it adds almost no burden to a visit.
The four-week recall period matters for scheduling. Administering the ACT every two weeks means each answer overlaps the last; most protocols collect it at visits four weeks or more apart. Record the date of completion precisely, because the endpoint is defined against that window.
A separate Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) exists for children aged 4 to 11, with items answered by the child and others by the parent, and a different score range. Do not give the adult ACT to young children; use the version validated for the age group and record who answered each part. See the parent proxy ePRO template.
Asthma Control Test · Week 12
Past 4 weeks · approved licensed version
Item 1 · Activity limitation
ACT01Item 2 · Shortness of breath
ACT02Item 3 · Night-time symptoms
ACT03Structure
| Item | Topic | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asthma limiting activities at work, school or home | 1 to 5 |
| 2 | Shortness of breath | 1 to 5 |
| 3 | Night-time waking or early waking from symptoms | 1 to 5 |
| 4 | Rescue inhaler or nebuliser use | 1 to 5 |
| 5 | Own rating of asthma control | 1 to 5 |
| Total | Sum of the five items | 5 to 25 |
Use the licensed wording and official translations supplied by the copyright holder. Item topics are summarised here, not reproduced.
In Capture
Participants complete the ACT on their own phone from a secure link, with no app to install. Each item is stored as a coded value with its label, all five are required, and the form records the licence number, holder and expiry so collection stops if the licence lapses.
Copyright & licence
Approval pendingLicence number
Not recorded
Expiry date
Not recorded
Watermark shown to staff only. Participants never see it.
Build it with your licensed wording and preview it on your phone.
Alongside the ACT
The ACT measures how asthma feels to the person; it does not replace objective measures. Most trials pair it with spirometry at visits, a daily diary of rescue inhaler use and symptoms, and an exacerbation form that records systemic corticosteroid courses, emergency visits and hospital admissions. The Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) is an alternative control measure that includes a lung function item; pick one as the primary control measure rather than collecting both without a plan.
For analysis, define in advance whether you will use the total as a continuous outcome, the proportion reaching 20 or more, or the proportion improving by at least 3 points. Pre-specifying the definition in the analysis plan avoids choosing the most favourable one after unblinding.
Before go-live
Terms confirmed with the copyright holder; licence details on the form.
Adult ACT from 12 years; childhood version for ages 4 to 11.
Visits four weeks or more apart.
A total needs all five answers.
Continuous total, threshold of 20 or change of 3 points.
For every language used in the study.
Five items are each scored 1 to 5 and summed for a total of 5 to 25. Higher scores mean better control.
A total of 19 or less is widely used to indicate asthma that is not well controlled.
About 3 points is commonly cited. Pre-specify the threshold in your analysis plan.
It is copyrighted. Check the terms of use with the copyright holder and obtain permission before using it in a study.
Children aged 4 to 11 use the Childhood Asthma Control Test, which has a different structure and score range.
Items are stored as coded values with labels, and totals are derived from them in analysis.
Licensed instruments with licence tracking. Free sandbox.