Barriers and Enablers of Delivering Asthma Self-Management to Those With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Respiratory-related illness including asthma is a leading cause of avoidable higher mortality in those with intellectual disabilities. International guidelines stress the importance of good self-management in avoiding asthma-related deaths but give no guidance on how this is achieved with this vulnerable population.

A scoping review of published research to identify barriers and facilitators to promoting asthma self-management in people with intellectual disabilities.

Only six studies published from 2015 to 2022 met study inclusion criteria. Studies commonly reported that the education of patients and caregivers was critical, with a lack of education being a barrier to good asthma control. Three studies also highlighted the importance of caregivers and support workers in helping those with intellectual disabilities to self-manage their asthma.

This review highlights the paucity of research in this area. Further research is urgently needed to improve asthma self-management in those with intellectual disabilities thereby reducing asthma-related deaths.