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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2010 Mar-Apr;17(2):67-73.
doi: 10.1155/2010/327650.

A children's asthma education program: Roaring Adventures of Puff (RAP), improves quality of life

Shawna L McGhan  1 , Eric Wong, Heather M Sharpe, Patrick A Hessel, Puish Mandhane, Vivki L Boechler, Carina Majaesic, A Dean Befus
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A children's asthma education program: Roaring Adventures of Puff (RAP), improves quality of life

Shawna L McGhan et al. Can Respir J. 2010 Mar-Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: It is postulated that children with asthma who receive an interactive, comprehensive education program would improve their quality of life, asthma management and asthma control compared with children receiving usual care.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and impact of 'Roaring Adventures of Puff' (RAP), a six-week childhood asthma education program administered by health professionals in schools.

Methods: Thirty-four schools from three health regions in Alberta were randomly assigned to receive either the RAP asthma program (intervention group) or usual care (control group). Baseline measurements from parent and child were taken before the intervention, and at six and 12 months.

Results: The intervention group had more smoke exposure at baseline. Participants lost to follow-up had more asthma symptoms. Improvements were significantly greater in the RAP intervention group from baseline to six months than in the control group in terms of parent's perceived understanding and ability to cope with and control asthma, and overall quality of life (P<0.05). On follow-up, doctor visits were reduced in the control group.

Conclusion: A multilevel, comprehensive, school-based asthma program is feasible, and modestly improved asthma management and quality of life outcomes. An interactive group education program offered to children with asthma at their school has merit as a practical, cost-effective, peer-supportive approach to improve health outcomes.

HISTORIQUE :: On postule que les enfants asthmatiques qui reçoivent un programme d’éducation interactif complet améliorent leur qualité de vie ainsi que leur prise en charge et leur contrôle de l’asthme par rapport aux enfants qui reçoivent des soins habituels.

OBJECTIF :: Évaluer la faisabilité et les répercussions du programme Roaring Adventures of Puff (RAP), un programme d’éducation sur l’asthme de six semaines pour les enfants, administré par des professionnels de la santé dans les écoles.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: Trente-quatre écoles de trois régions sanitaires de l’Alberta ont été réparties aléatoirement entre le programme RAP (groupe d’intervention) et les soins habituels (groupe témoin). Les chercheurs ont obtenu les mesures auprès des parents et des enfants avant l’intervention, puis au bout de six et de 12 mois.

RÉSULTATS :: Le groupe d’intervention était davantage exposé à la fumée du tabac en début d’étude. Les participants perdus au suivi avaient plus de symptômes d’asthme. L’amélioration était considérablement plus marquée dans le groupe d’intervention RAP entre le début et six mois que dans le groupe témoin pour ce qui est de la compréhension perçue des parents, de la capacité d’affronter et de contrôler l’asthme et de la qualité de vie globale (P<0,05). Au suivi, les visites au médecin étaient réduites dans le groupe témoin.

CONCLUSION :: Il est faisable d’offrir un programme d’éducation sur l’asthme en milieu scolaire complet et multiniveau, et ce programme améliore modestement la prise en charge de l’asthme et les résultats sur la qualité de vie. Un programme d’éducation collectif interactif offert à des enfants asthmatiques en milieu scolaire a l’avantage d’être une démarche pratique, rentable et soutenue par les camarades pour améliorer les issues de santé.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Flow chart of the study timeline, the enrollment process, and subject participation and dropout at three time points. mo Months; RAP Roaring Adventures of Puff
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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