Related Experiment Videos
Psychological interventions for adults with asthma.
J Yorke1, S L Fleming, C M Shuldham
1Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, UK. J.Yorke@rbh.nthames.nhs.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|January 27, 2006
Summary
Psychological interventions show potential benefits for asthma management, including reduced medication use and improved quality of life. However, more high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings for adult asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Psychological factors can trigger asthma symptoms and influence medical therapy adherence.
- Psychological interventions aim to alleviate asthma symptoms and enhance disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of psychological interventions in improving outcomes for adults diagnosed with asthma.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to August 2005 was conducted.
- Searches were performed on the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register and PsycINFO.
- Fourteen studies with 617 participants were included, with data extraction and analysis performed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Poor study quality and small sample sizes limited definitive conclusions.
- Relaxation therapy showed a significant reduction in 'as needed' medication use (OR 4.47).
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) positively impacted quality of life (WMD 0.71), and bio-feedback therapy improved Peak Expiratory Flow (SMD 0.66).
Conclusions:
- The current evidence base is insufficient to establish the role of psychological interventions in adult asthma care.
- Larger, well-designed, and rigorously reported RCTs are necessary to determine the true effectiveness of these techniques.