We assessed the effectiveness of an asthma educational programme based on a repeated short intervention (AEP-RSI) to improve asthma control (symptom control and future risk) and quality of life. A total of 230 adults with mild-to-moderate persistent uncontrolled asthma participated in a 1-year cluster randomised controlled multicentre study. The AEP-RSI was given in four face-to-face sessions at 3-month intervals, and included administration of a written personalised action plan and training on inhaler technique. Centres were randomised to the AEP-RSI (intervention) group or usual clinical practice group. Specialised centres using a standard educational programme were the gold standard group. A significant improvement in the Asthma Control Test score was observed in all three groups (p < 0.001), but improvements were higher in the intervention and gold standard groups than in the usual clinical practice group (p = 0.042), which also showed fewer exacerbations (mean +/- SD 1.20 +/- 2.02 and 0.56 +/- 1.5 versus 2.04 +/- 2.72, respectively) and greater increases in the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (0.95 +/- 1.04 and 0.89 +/- 0.84 versus 0.52 +/- 0.97, respectively). The AEP-RSI was effective in improving asthma symptom control, future risk and quality of life.
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