Benefits at 3 yrs of an asthma education programme coupled with regular reinforcement

Abstract

The benefits at 3 yrs of an asthma self-management education programme coupled with educational reinforcement were assessed at follow-up visits in 63 adults with chronic asthma.Changes in asthma-related morbidity parameters, lung function and use of different classes of drugs before intervention and after 1, 2 and 3 yrs of the asthma education programme were compared using Friedman one-way analysis of variance.Improvements in the number of days off work or school, general practitioner consultations, admissions to emergency services, hospital admissions and nocturnal awakenings, as well as increases in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), were significant. Comparison of data obtained at 1 yr and 2–3 yrs showed significant differences in the number of asthma-associated sleep disruptions, days off work or school and unscheduled visits to the general practitioner, as well as FEV1, but significant differences between the data obtained at 2 and 3 yrs were not observed. The percentage of patients using oral steroids had decreased significantly at 3 yrs.In adults with chronic asthma, an asthma self-management education programme coupled with educational reinforcement was effective at decreasing asthma morbidity, improving lung function and decreasing consumption of oral steroids.

Self-Management Plans for Asthma Control and Predictors of Patient Compliance

“…Many studies have shown that involving patients in the treatment decisions increases their quality of lives (41,42). At the 3rd-month assessment stage of our study, the asthma self-management education improved the quality of lives of asthmatics, especially in the general health and the vitality dimensions of SF-36.…”

The effectiveness of a pictorial asthma action plan for improving asthma control and the quality of life in illiterate women

“…To be involved in treatment decisions increases the quality of life of asthma patients [2,3]. A recent metaanalysis of studies containing written asthma action plans and standard treatments revealed a 40% decrease in asthmarelated presentation to hospitals and a 20% decrease in emergency visits by patients with an action plan [4].…”

Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a New Adult Asthma Self-Management Program

“…To help adults with asthma reach this goal, researchers have developed, implemented and evaluated adult asthma education programs. (Brown, Reeves, Meyerson, & Korzeniewski, 2006;Castro et al, 2003;Courturaud et al, 2002;Ignacio-Garcia et al, 2002;Janson et al, 2003;Perneger et al, 2002;Schaffer & Tian, 2004;Schott-Baer, 1999;Smith et al, 2007;Steuten, Vrijhoef, Van Merode, Wesseling, & Spreeuwenberg, 2006;Thoonen et al, 2003;Yilzaz & Akkaya, 2002) Recently, a Cochrane review by Gibson et al (2005) assessed the value of adult asthma self-management interventions. The review assessed the effectiveness of asthma education, self-monitoring, regular medical review, and written action plans.…”