Effect of educational and psychological intervention on the quality of life of asthmatic patients.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of educational and psychological intervention on the quality of life and psychological status of patients with asthma. METHODS Asthmatic patients were randomized to study (n = 228) and control (n = 146) groups. Both groups received conventional pharmacotherapy for asthma. The study group also received education and psychological counseling. We assessed quality of life, mood states, and asthma knowledge before and after the educational and psychological interventions. RESULTS The study group's mean quality-of-life score was higher than that of the control group immediately after the intervention (130.2 +/- 25.1 vs 111.6 +/- 27.4, P < .001) and 3 months after the intervention (144.4 +/- 16.9 vs 121.5 +/- 25.6, P < .001). The study group's mean asthma-knowledge score was higher immediately after the intervention (9.0 +/- 1.2 vs 7.5 +/- 1.8, P < .001) and 3 months after the intervention (9.4 +/- 0.8 vs 7.5 +/- 1.5, P < .001). Two weeks after the intervention the mean increment of the asthma-knowledge score in the study group was greater than that in the control group (1.8 +/- 1.6 vs 0.6 +/- 1.7, P = or < .01). The study group's mean Profile of Mood States score was lower than that of the control group immediately after the intervention (12.0 +/- 18.5 vs 23.0 +/- 22.7, P < .001) and 3 months following the intervention (10.2 +/- 7.5 vs 22.8 +/- 11.4, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Education and psychological counseling improves the quality of life and alleviates the psychological distress in patients with asthma. These interventions also enhance patient's understanding of this chronic disease.