Abstract

BERBESI FERNANDEZ, Dedsy Yajaira et al. Effectiveness of a family therapy programme in asthmatic children with dysfunctional families. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2013, vol.6, n.3, pp.138-143. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2013000300004.

Objective: To show the effectiveness of family therapy as an additional method in the treatment of asthma, to improve the symptoms, lung function and a reduction of attacks, in children from dysfunctional families. Design: A before-after intervention study was carried out. Location: Six health institutions in the city of Medellín, Colombia. Participants: Twenty-five children diagnosed with asthma and family dysfunction in 2011. Main Surveyed Data: Analysis before and after family intervention using  Wilcoxon and McNemar tests. The statistical significance was considered with a value of p < 0,05. Results: Prior to the intervention, 68% of the children were suffering from uncontrolled asthma and after family therapy, at the end of the follow-up year, uncontrolled asthma persistence was 4%. A great improve in clinical symptoms was reported after family intervention, and FVC and FEV1 showed a significant increase (p < 0,01). Conclusions: The establishment of changes in family dynamics achieves a reduction in symptoms and asthma attacks and brings a greater control of disease in children; for this reason, family dynamics assessment must be considered a fundamental part in the integral approach of paediatric asthma patients.

Keywords : Family Relationships; Family; Asthma; Family Therapy.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )