title: Efficacy of an individualized written home-management plan in the control of moderate persistent asthma: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of childhood asthma necessitates a comprehensive approach including pharmacological treatment as well as education about self-evaluation and home management of the condition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of adding an individualized written home-management plan in the control of moderate persistent asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with moderate persistent asthma were randomized to receive either an individualized written home-management plan or no plan, in addition to standard asthma therapy including education. They were followed up with serial measurement of outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children receiving an individualized written home-management plan had fewer acute asthma events, fewer lost school days, lower symptom score and less nocturnal awakening than those who did not receive a written plan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of a written individualized home-management plan improves overall control in children with moderate persistent asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Advanced Paediatrics Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Meenu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Prabhjot
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malhi
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies