The impact of a self-administered behavioral intervention program on pediatric asthma

Abstract

This study evaluated the benefits produced by "Superstuff", a self-help program for asthmatic children aged 7-12. Forty-three children with a confirmed diagnosis of moderate to severe asthma were randomly assigned to either the totally self-administered Superstuff condition or to a nocontact Control condition. Self-report, parental, physician, and school data were collected at pre-intervention, and two, six, and twelve months post-intervention. Children receiving Superstuff reported increased asthma self-control skills, but no gains in general self-control abilities or self-esteem. Superstuff subjects also evidenced fewer interruptions of parents, greater improvement in the progression of asthma as reported by physicians (but not in the severity of the disease or intensity of average attack), and tended toward decreased school absenteeism. Superstuff did not reduce scheduled or emergency medical contacts. The demonstration of important, but modest, benefits from a low-cost, easily disseminated, self-administered intervention is discussed in the context of self-help treatment in general.