title: Peak flow meters: are they monitoring tools or training devices?
abstract: Previous studies have been inconclusive as to whether peak flow meter use teaches asthma patients to better perceive their own pulmonary functioning. This investigation utilized a delayed baseline design to determine if pulmonary awareness could be improved among a sample of 24 adult patients who compared daily peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) with asthma symptom ratings. Results indicated that among this sample of adult patients: (i) perception of pulmonary functioning was poor, (ii) adherence to peak flow meter use was poor, and (iii) among patients who use peak flow meters daily, self-perception of pulmonary functioning did not improve significantly. Summary tables and descriptive statistics for pulmonary functioning are provided, and treatment implications are discussed.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors: K P
authors: KP
authors: Reeder
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Dolce
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Duke
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Raczynski
authors: W C
authors: WC
authors: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012212:Rheology; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation*