Cognitive behavioural intervention in bronchial asthma

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to find out the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy, as an adjunct to standard pharmacotherapy in bronchial asthma.

Design: An experimental design with pre- and post-therapy assessments was adopted.

Setting: The Medicine Out-patient Department of St. John's Medical College and Hospital, and Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore.

Patients: Ten asthma patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, matched for use of drugs, were sequentially allotted to two groups: a) experimental group, who were exposed to cognitive behaviour therapy along with standard pharmacotherapy, b) control group, who were exposed to standard pharmacotherapy alone.

Intervention: Cognitive behaviour therapy included 15 individual sessions consisting of asthma education, Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation (JPMR), behavioural techniques, cognitive restructuring, cognitive coping skills and behavioural counseling to significant others.

Measurements: The measures used for pre- and post-therapy assessments were--Asthma symptom checklist, asthma diary, state trait anxiety inventory-Y1 and Y2, Beck depression inventory, asthma quality of life questionnaire and peak expiratory flow rate.

Results: There was significant decrease in asthma symptoms, anxiety and depression; and significant increase in quality of life in the experimental group (p < 0.05) at the post-assessment. The control group did not show any significant change at the post-assessment.

Conclusion: Cognitive behaviour therapy helps in improving the management of asthma.