An examination of behavioral approaches in increasing medical regimen adherence among adolescents with asthma /by Marguerite Lucille McCrow.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of behavioral self-management versus parental-management in increasing medical regimen adherence among adolescents with asthma. The study also examined the subsequent effects on clinical outcomes including expiratory peak flow measures and quality of life measures. An alternating treatments design was utilized to assess changes in adherence level, expiratory peak flow measures, and quality of life reports in six adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years old. Results indicated that all participants increased adherence to their medical regimen and showed increased clinical outcomes and quality of life reports as compared to baseline levels. Five participants demonstrated highest levels of adherence, peak flow measures, and quality of life measures during parental-management conditions. One participant demonstrated highest levels of adherence, peak flow measures, and quality of life scores during self-management conditions. The study indicates that behavioral management is effective in increasing adherence and clinical outcomes for adolescents with asthma and suggests that more research be conducted in order to determine most effective treatments for increasing medical adherence