Long-Term Management of Asthma - Related Resources

Drug therapy

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

• Physical endurance-type training may improve cardiopulmonary fitness of asthmatic subjects and might possibly have positive effects on health-related quality of life Physical Training for Asthma.
• Breathing exercises may have positive effects on asthma symptoms and quality of life in adults with asthma Breathing Exercises for Adults with Asthma.

Psychological interventions

• There is insufficient evidence for conclusions concerning the role of psychological interventions in asthma Psychological Interventions for Adults with Asthma.

Lifestyle and counselling

• Caffeine may improve airways function modestly for up to four hours in people with asthma Caffeine for Asthma.
• Supplementation of diet with marine n-3 fatty acids seems not to improve asthma symptoms, although the evidence is insufficient Dietary Marine Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) for Asthma in Adults and Children.

Others

• There is no overall improvement of asthma following treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Subgroups of patients may gain benefit, but it appears difficult to predict responders The Effect of Treatment for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux on Asthma.
• Tailored asthma interventions based on sputum eosinophils appears to be beneficial in reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations in adults with frequent exacerbations and severe asthma Interventions Based on Sputum Eosinophils for Asthma.
• The use of room air ionisers may not reduce symptoms in patients with chronic asthma Ionisers for Chronic Asthma.
• Influenza vaccine seems unlikely to worsen asthma, but research is needed to determine whether asthma attacks are prevented by influenza vaccination Influenza Vaccination in Asthma: Efficacy and Side Effects.
• There is insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of holding chambers versus nebulisers in chronic asthma Holding Chambers Versus Nebulisers for Inhaled Steroids in Chronic Asthma.