A Pilot Stress Management Intervention Study for High Risk Children With Asthma

"Participants randomized to the I Can Cope condition will receive 6 face-to-face individualized sessions over a 2-month period. Each session will last 50 minutes and take place at the child's school either during approved times during the school day or as part of the after-school program. Sessions are psychoeducational and experiential and include opportunities for the child with asthma to: (1) learn about the pathophysiology of asthma; (2) understand the biological impact of stress on the body; (3) learn the relationship among thoughts, feelings, actions, and asthma; (4) acquire a set of coping skills to help deal with asthma-related and day-to-day stressors in their lives, and (5) receive training in biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques."

"This group will receive the standard American Lung Association (ALA)Open Airways for Schools program. This program includes six 40-minute sessions covering the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's recommendations for asthma education."