Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of psychological interventions in adults with moderate and severe asthma. In addition, personality traits were taken into consideration.
Material and methods. Eighteen adults with moderate or severe asthma were divided into experimental and control group. The division was performed on the basis of attendance at psychotherapy sessions. The assessment of asthma control was based on interview, physical examination and lung function testing. In psychological interview pre- and post-therapy quality of life was evaluated with: Saint George’s Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The assessment of personality traits was performed with NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). Psychotherapy comprised 16 group sessions including behavioural techniques (relaxation training) and cognitive restructuring (cognitive coping skills changing). The aim of intervention was to improve patients’ quality of life depending mainly on the decrease of the symptoms and suppression of fear resulting from the shortness of breath and awareness that the disease is chronic and progressive.
Results. In the experimental group significant increase in both acceptance of illness (F = 6.03, P < 0.05) and emotional control (F = 4.73, P < 0.05) was found after psychotherapy sessions. Significant decrease in health-related quality of life was observed in the control group (F = 7.42, P < 0.05) at the post-assessment. The influence of the personality traits on the relationship between participating in psychotherapy and quality of life was not significant.
Conclusion. Psychotherapy seems to be an useful additional method of treatment in patients with asthma. The study provided data suggesting that these techniques may lead to more successful coping with disease. However, the study group was quite small and further investigations are necessary.