Efectividad de un programa de terapia de familia en niños asmáticos con familias disfuncionales

Abstract

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.