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Intervention for ineffective airway clearance in asthmatic children: a controlled and randomized clinical trial

Luisa Helena de Oliveira Lima1, Marcos Venícios de Oliveira Lopes, Rita Tomás de Souza Falcão

  • 1Nursing Department, Federal University of Piauí, Picos, Piauí, Brazil.

International Journal of Nursing Practice
|February 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study found that an intervention for ineffective airway clearance in young asthmatic children improved obstructive symptoms. The treatment, involving positioning and cough stimulation, showed positive results in a randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Ineffective airway clearance is a common nursing diagnosis in pediatric asthma.
  • Asthma management in young children requires effective interventions to prevent complications.
  • Evidence-based practices are crucial for optimizing respiratory care in asthmatic children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the effectiveness of a nursing intervention for ineffective airway clearance in asthmatic children.
  • To evaluate the impact of positioning and cough stimulation on respiratory symptoms.
  • To provide evidence for improved nursing care strategies in pediatric asthma.

Main Methods:

  • A blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial involving 42 asthmatic children (≤ 36 months).
  • Children were allocated to either an intervention group (positioning and cough stimulation) or a control group.
  • Health status indicators, including choking and adventitious breath sounds, were assessed before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in health status were observed between groups before the intervention.
  • The intervention group showed statistically significant increases in indicators of choking (P = 0.007) and adventitious breath sounds (P = 0.005) post-intervention.
  • An overall improvement in obstructive symptoms was noted in children who received the proposed intervention.

Conclusions:

  • The nursing intervention combining positioning and cough stimulation appears effective in improving obstructive symptoms in young asthmatic children.
  • This intervention offers a promising approach for managing ineffective airway clearance in this pediatric population.
  • Further research may validate these findings and support wider clinical application.

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