title: [Use of the reliable change index to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions: Application of an asthma training program].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two methods for the evaluation of outcomes to assess effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention of a professional education program on asthma control.
  
  
  METHODS
  A naturalistic, intervention study in which asthmatic patients were attended by clinicians (IG group) who Had taken part in a special education program and a control group (CG) that received medical assistance from clinicians still waiting to be trained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five urban Primary Care Health Centres of the same region.
  
  
  METHODS
  From an initial sample of 100 patients, 76 formed the final sample for analysis. The study included 37 males and 39 females, aged between 18 and 65 years (M=41.2 years). The two study groups were found to be homogeneous except for the sex variable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Training program for clinical treatment adherence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peak flow as spirometric index, and structured interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results were initially analysed using classical techniques based on robust ANOVA models, and then by calculating the Reliable Change Index (RCI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ANOVA models, conducted separately for each sex, showed no significant differences, due to sample size. RCI methodology showed significant differences in the percentage of patients improved in both groups, as well as clinically relevant changes being observed individually.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RCI method is presented as an attractive alternative as regards the classical methods of analysis that can help in the clinical decision.
authors.affiliation: DeustoPsych, I+D+i en Psicología y Salud, Facultad de Psicología y Educación, Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España. Electronic address: mikel.montero@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: DeustoPsych, I+D+i en Psicología y Salud, Facultad de Psicología y Educación, Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España.
authors.forename: Ioseba
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iraurgi
authors.affiliation: DeustoPsych, I+D+i en Psicología y Salud, Facultad de Psicología y Educación, Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Matellanes
authors.affiliation: Psiqualia, Gabinete privado de psicología aplicada, Bilbao, Vizcaya, España.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Montero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013147:Spirometry; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asma; Assessment; Asthma; Educación; Education; Efectividad; Effectiveness; Evaluación; Reliable change index; Índice de cambio fiable