PSYCHOLOGICAL support combined with respiratory function training has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve lung function in patients with bronchial asthma, according to new research. The findings highlight the value of integrating mental health interventions into standard asthma care for hospitalized patients.
In this retrospective study, 204 individuals with bronchial asthma were randomly divided into an observation group receiving psychological support alongside respiratory function training and a control group receiving standard care. Baseline characteristics such as age and gender were similar between groups. Outcomes were assessed using validated anxiety scales, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) measurements, and patient satisfaction surveys at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention.
Patients receiving the combined intervention reported significantly lower anxiety levels on both the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at each follow-up point compared with the control group. Improvements in lung function, reflected by higher PEF scores, were observed as early as one week and sustained through one month after the intervention. Patient satisfaction also showed a notable increase at 3 months.
Analysis using generalized estimation equations confirmed that the dual approach produced meaningful clinical benefits. Psychological support and respiratory training significantly reduced GAD-7 and HADS scores at 1 and 3 months, improved PEF at 1 week and 1 month, and enhanced patient satisfaction at 3 months. These findings emphasize the role of addressing both psychological and physiological needs in asthma management.
Asthma care traditionally focuses on pharmacological and respiratory support, yet anxiety is a frequent comorbidity that can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery. By targeting anxiety through structured psychological support and reinforcing respiratory capacity through function training, this approach offers a dual pathway to better patient outcomes. The results underscore the importance for clinicians to consider multidisciplinary interventions that extend beyond conventional treatment frameworks.
Reference: Fang L et al. The role of psychological support and respiratory function training in alleviating anxiety and improving lung function in patients with bronchial asthma. J Asthma. 2025:1-15.
