Efficacy of a parent-youth teamwork intervention to promote adherence in pediatric asthma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a parent-youth teamwork intervention improved medication adherence and related outcomes among youth with asthma. METHODS: We used a randomized clinical trial with 48 youth (aged 9-15 years) assigned to 1 of 3 groups Teamwork Intervention (TI), Asthma Education (AE), or Standard Care (SC). Treatment occurred across 2 months, with a 3-month follow-up assessment. Adherence to inhaled corticosteroids was assessed via the MDILog-II. Parent-adolescent conflict, asthma functional severity, and spirometry assessments were obtained pre-treatment, post-treatment, and on follow-up. Mixed linear model analysis was used to evaluate group and time effects for outcome measures. RESULTS: TI group had significantly higher adherence and lower functional severity scores than AE or SC conditions, and lower parent-reported conflict and a trend for higher spirometry values compared with the SC group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest support for the efficacy of TI for improving medication adherence as youth acquire more responsibility for their asthma management.