Childhood Asthma. Part II: Recent Developments in Psychological Treatment (Behavioural Therapy)

Abstract

The behavioural management of childhood asthma has been critically reviewed with the focus on relaxation training, systematic desensitisation, assertive training, biofeedback and the use of deconditioning with exercise induced asthma. The authors conclude that there is a questionable level of relief from these behavioural intervention strategies and suggest that behavioural techniques may be better used in the management of asthma-related problems, such as the use of drugs and equipment, academic and social problems. The first part of this paper appears in the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 1981, 28(2), 49-54.In a previous article in this journal, we reviewed the physiological and psychological aspects of childhood asthma (King and Murphy, 1981). In the current review, we focus upon recent developments in the psychological treatment (behaviour therapy) of childhood asthma. Although the vast range of treatment regimens for childhood asthma cannot be described here, it should be emphasized that drugs are the mainstay of therapy for asthmatic children. Aminophylline and theophylline, isoproterenol, epinephrine, disodium cromoglycate and cortico-