Improved health outcomes with peak flow monitoring for children with asthma.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of peak flow monitoring (PFM) on health outcomes of school-age children with asthma. METHOD AND SAMPLE: Seventy-seven children who previously relied on symptom monitoring were taught PFM. Adherence to PFM during the 16-week study was assessed by a computerized monitor. Health outcomes over time were based on parent report. RESULTS: Decreases occurred from baseline to week 16 in the incidence of one or more asthma episodes (p = 0.0002), physician/clinic visits (p = 0.0002), emergency department visits (p = 0.03), and missed school days (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PFM significantly reduced pediatric asthma morbidity in this sample.