Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler for maintenance and relief in mild-to-moderate asthma: a randomized, double-blind trial.
To compare a novel asthma management strategy--budesonide/formoterol in a single inhaler for both maintenance therapy and symptom relief--with a higher dose of budesonide plus as-needed terbutaline. ⋯ Budesonide/formoterol for both maintenance and relief improves asthma control with a lower steroid load compared with a higher dose of budesonide plus terbutaline.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized controlled trial of emergency department interventions to improve primary care follow-up for patients with acute asthma.
Emergency department (ED) visits for asthma are frequent and may indicate increased morbidity and poor primary care access. Our objective was to compare the effect of two interventions on primary care follow-up after ED treatment for asthma exacerbations. ⋯ An intervention including free medication, transportation vouchers, and appointment assistance significantly increased the likelihood that discharged asthma patients obtained primary care follow-up but did not impact long-term outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Heart rate variability biofeedback: effects of age on heart rate variability, baroreflex gain, and asthma.
To present additional analysis of data from a previously published study showing that biofeedback training to increase heart rate variability (HRV) can be an effective component in asthma treatment. HRV and intervention-related changes in HRV are negatively correlated with age. Here we assess the effects of age on biofeedback effects for asthma. ⋯ Age-related attenuation of biofeedback effects on cardiovascular variability does not diminish the usefulness of the method for treating asthma among older patients. Additional training in pursed-lips abdominal breathing obliterates the effects of age on HRV changes during biofeedback.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
An interdisciplinary intervention for undertreated pediatric asthma.
To examine the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary intervention for pediatric asthma. ⋯ This study examined the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary intervention for undertreated asthma. The intervention did not result in improvements in asthma symptoms, but accomplished modest reductions in the utilization of acute medical care.