Deborah Marriage and John Henderson explore how nurses can help patients use psychological therapy to cope with asthma-related anxiety

Aim This article describes a study that aimed to investigate the effect of nurse-delivered behaviour therapy on anxiety levels and quality of life in children with asthma and coexistent anxiety.

Method A prospective cohort pilot study in which ten children, aged between seven and ten years, with asthma and diagnosed with health-related anxiety took part. Data were collected over a two-year period, cognitive behaviour therapy sessions were provided, and asthma, anxiety and quality of life scores were measured.

Findings The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services-devised, respiratory nurse-delivered, cognitive behaviour therapy programme was associated with an increase in quality of life for children with asthma and a decrease in anxiety levels and hyperventilation scores.

Conclusion All nursing staff need to be aware of the detrimental effects of anxiety on asthma control, so that early symptoms of anxiety can be identified and addressed quickly.