Meta-analysis of the effects of psychoeducational care in adults with asthma.
Meta-analysis was conducted with 31 studies published between 1972 to 1993 on the effect of psychoeducational care (education, behavioral skill development, cognitive therapy, and/or nonbehavioral support/counseling) in adults with asthma. Fifty-eight percent of studies had subjects that were randomly assigned to treatment condition. Statistically significant beneficial effects were obtained on the occurance of asthmatic attacks (d+ = .56, n = 11), dynamic respiratory volume (d+ = .34, n = 10), peak expiratory flow rate (d+ = .29, n = 6), functional status (d+ = .46, n = 4), adherence to treatment regime (d+ = .78, n = 7), utilization of health care (d+ = .29, n = 10), use of PRN medications (d+ = .62, n = 8), psychological well-being (d+ = .53, n = 6), and psychomotor knowledge of inhaler use (d+ = 1.02, n = 4). Methodological weaknesses were identified that should be rectified in future research. Nonetheless, based on the best evidence available to date, both education and relaxation-based behavioral interventions have been shown to improve important clinical outcomes in adults with asthma.
Devine
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School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 53201, USA.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015982:Bias; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D012107:Research Design; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome