Testing group lessons for people with asthma to help manage their disease

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with asthma, diagnosed according to GINA or ATS guidelines. It studies an 'Asthma School' with multidisciplinary lessons.

Age

18 to 85 years

Sex

All sexes can join.

Disease stage

Asthma diagnosed according to GINA / ATS guidelines.

Main reasons for not taking part

• Cognitive impairment

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 18 and 85 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

According to the definition provided by the GINA guidelines, asthma is characterized by a variable and reversible limitation of expiratory airflow and by the following symptoms: wheezing, dyspnoea, thoracic constriction and/or cough. The type and the severity of airflow limitation can vary over time (1) depending on external agents, such as physical exercise, polluting agents, climate changes and viral infections. The therapy is mainly based on the use of inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Patients affected by severe asthma (~ 10% of total prevalence of asthma and at high risk of exacerbations and/or hospitalization) may not control their symptoms, even if exposed to maximal doses of inhalation therapy.The behavioural sciences can potentially help to find the psychological factors behind scarce adherence and to develop strategies with the aim of improving the interactive processes between patients, medical doctors and health care professionals

The 2 groups in the trial

• ASG= Asthma School Group, with educational interventionTreatment being tested

  experimental "asthma school" group (ASG) will attend control visits as Control Group every three months. In addiction, ASG will attend 3 further meetings consisting in multidisciplinary lessons (pneumologist, nurse, biologist and respiratory therapist) once a week within 1 month after randomization. Study staff will deal with the following topics: asthma physiopathology, recognition of asthma symptoms and exacerbation, educational interventions on therapy and device, nutritional counselling if necessary. Patients will receive a paper diary for symptoms and an expiratory pick flow meter (PFM) to be done twice a day

  Treatment: multidisciplinary lessons

• CG= Control Group, With no educational interventionNo study treatment, for comparison

  Control group will attend control visits every three months.