International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 46, Issue 8 , Pages 1061-1070, August 2009

Effect of relaxation-breathing training on anxiety and asthma signs/symptoms of children with moderate-to-severe asthma: A randomized controlled trial

  • Li-Chi Chiang

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, China Medical University and China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, ROC
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +886 4 22053366x7119; fax: +886 426310776.
    • ,
  • Wei-Fen Ma

      Affiliations

    • School of Nursing, China Medical University and China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, ROC
    • ,
  • Jing-Long Huang

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC
    • ,
  • Li-Feng Tseng

      Affiliations

    • National Taichung Institute of Technology, Department of General Education, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
    • ,
  • Kai-Chung Hsueh

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC

Received 14 August 2008; received in revised form 12 January 2009; accepted 24 January 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Emotional stress triggers and exacerbates asthma in children. Reducing anxiety in adults by relaxation-breathing techniques has been shown in clinical trials to produce good asthma outcomes. However, more evidence is needed on using this intervention with asthmatic children.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of combined self-management and relaxation-breathing training for children with moderate-to-severe asthma compared to self-management-only training.

Design

Two-group experimental design.

Setting and participants

Pediatric outpatient clinic of a medical center in central Taiwan. Participants were 48 children, ages 6–14 years, with moderate-to-severe asthma and their parents.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental or comparison group and matched by gender, age, and asthma severity. Both groups participated in an asthma self-management program. Children in the experimental group were also given 30min of training in a relaxation-breathing technique and a CD for home practice. Data on anxiety levels, self-perceived health status, asthma signs/symptoms, peak expiratory flow rate, and medication use were collected at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention. Effects of group, time, and group–time interaction were analyzed using the Mixed Model in SPSS (12.0).

Results

Anxiety (especially state anxiety) was significantly lower for children in the experimental group than in the comparison group. Differences in the other four physiological variables were also noted between pre- and post-intervention, but these changes did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions

A combination of self-management and relaxation-breathing training can reduce anxiety, thus improving asthmatic children's health. These results can serve as an evidence base for psychological nursing practice with asthmatic children.

Keywords: Anxiety, Children, Asthma, Relaxation-breathing training, Chronic illness

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PII: S0020-7489(09)00036-4

doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.01.013

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 46, Issue 8 , Pages 1061-1070, August 2009

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