BACKGROUND: Asthma affects approximately 6 million children in the United States and can greatly impact quality of life and occupational engagement. Although occupational therapists are well-equipped to address participation limitations, insufficient evidence exists to support the role of occupational therapists in asthma treatment. METHOD: The purpose of this study was to further understand the occupational limitations experienced by children with asthma. We also explored a dual diagnosis of asthma and obesity. The participants included children with (n = 84) and without (n = 63) asthma living in New York City. The Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report, Brief Respiratory Questionnaire, and accelerometer data were used to examine occupational participation. RESULTS: Although accelerometry data demonstrated that children with asthma were equally as active as their non-asthmatic peers, the participants with asthma perceived themselves as participating more in sedentary occupations and were less likely to be members of sports teams. They also had more missed school days and nights of troubled sleep. The children with both asthma and obesity reported the highest level of activity limitations. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates specific limitations experienced by children with asthma and supports the need for occupational therapy intervention. Future studies are needed to design and assess interventions that will support the addition of occupational therapists to multidisciplinary asthma treatment teams.
BACKGROUND: Asthma affects approximately 6 million children in the United States and can greatly impact quality of life and occupational engagement. Although occupational therapists are well-equipped to address participation limitations, insufficient evidence exists to support the role of occupational therapists in asthma treatment. METHOD: The purpose of this study was to further understand the occupational limitations experienced by children with asthma. We also explored a dual diagnosis of asthma and obesity. The participants included children with (n = 84) and without (n = 63) asthma living in New York City. The Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report, Brief Respiratory Questionnaire, and accelerometer data were used to examine occupational participation. RESULTS: Although accelerometry data demonstrated that children with asthma were equally as active as their non-asthmatic peers, the participants with asthma perceived themselves as participating more in sedentary occupations and were less likely to be members of sports teams. They also had more missed school days and nights of troubled sleep. The children with both asthma and obesity reported the highest level of activity limitations. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates specific limitations experienced by children with asthma and supports the need for occupational therapy intervention. Future studies are needed to design and assess interventions that will support the addition of occupational therapists to multidisciplinary asthma treatment teams.
Authors: Sebastian Bonner; Thomas Matte; Mitchell Rubin; Beverley J Sheares; Joanne K Fagan; David Evans; Robert B Mellins Journal: J Sch Health Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 2.118
Authors: Melissa H Bellin; Cassie Land; Angelica Newsome; Joan Kub; Shawna S Mudd; Mary Elizabeth Bollinger; Arlene M Butz Journal: J Asthma Date: 2016-06-15 Impact factor: 2.515
Authors: Shahid I Sheikh; Judy Pitts; Nancy A Ryan-Wenger; Kavitha Kotha; Karen S McCoy; David R Stukus Journal: J Asthma Date: 2016-11-10 Impact factor: 2.515
Authors: Patrick Sullivan; Vahram G Ghushchyan; Prakash Navaratnam; Howard S Friedman; Abhisek Kavati; Benjamin Ortiz; Bob Lanier Journal: J Asthma Date: 2017-04-28 Impact factor: 2.515