Research

Research

Youngsters Can Learn to Lessen Asthma Attacks

Educating children and teens in the self-management of asthma can improve lung function and feelings of self-control. Such training can also reduce absenteeism from school, days with restricted activity, visits to an emergency department, and possibly the number of disturbed nights. These findings came from a study led by Dr. Fredric Wolf, professor and chair of medical education. The results were published in the British Medical Journal.

Wolf and his research team conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of previously done studies. The researchers analyzed published, randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials of educational programs for the self-management of asthma in children and adolescents. Included were studies that reported lung function morbidity, self-perception of asthma control, or utilization of heath-care services.

The 32 studies had a combined total of 3,706 patients, age 2 to 18 years. The severity of asthma was assessed from a self-report, examination of mean baseline forced expiratory volume in one second or peak expiratory flow rate, or chronicity of asthma symptoms.

Individualized teaching resulted in the greatest reductions in morbidity measures, whereas group training resulted in the greatest reduction in hospitalizations. A detailed summary of the findings appeared in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Before this analysis integrated findings across several studies, evidence on the effectiveness of educating children about their asthma had been conflicting. The findings suggest that education on the self-management of asthma should be a part of the routine care of youngsters with the disorder.