The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions designed to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) amongst asthmatic children and their families: a systematic review

Asthmatic children are at risk of compromised health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared with their healthy peers. This
systematic review reports the range and effectiveness of psychosocial interventions designed to improve HRQOL amongst asthmatic
children, adolescents, and their families.

Data sources included The Cochrane Airways Group Trials Register of trials, PubMed database, and reference lists from review
articles.

Eighteen studies of psychosocial interventions were identified. Interventions were designed to improve HRQOL amongst a range
of psychosocial, health care, school-related and clinical outcomes, and were delivered in numerous settings and formats. Four
studies reported that interventions were effective for significant improvements in child overall HRQOL scores. These include
asthma education (n = 2), asthma education plus problem solving (n = 1), and art therapy (n = 1).

Most interventions focussed on the delivery of asthma education to children, with the purpose of improving knowledge about
asthma and disease management. There is limited evidence to suggest that interventions currently available are effective for
significantly improving HRQOL amongst asthmatic children, adolescents, and their families. Most interventions lacked a theoretical
basis and did not focus on family functioning variables. Multi-component interventions that incorporate asthma education along
with strategies to assist families with implementing behaviour change towards improved asthma management are required. Future
interventions should also attempt to address the wider context of family functioning likely to contribute to the family’s
ability to engage in successful asthma management in order to improve HRQOL.