To investigate the utility of peak flow meter based asthma action plans versus symptom based asthma action plans in children 6 to 12 years old diagnosed with persistent asthma.

Fifty children diagnosed with mild to severe persistent asthma were randomly selected to receive a peak flow meter based asthma action plan or a symptom based asthma action plan. Participants were followed for 3 months to evaluate the number of times the asthma action plan was used, the steps taken, the number of systemic corticosteroid bursts received, the number of acute care visits and the number of telephone calls made to the health care provider. The data were analyzed and compared between the two equal-sized action plan groups.

The two treatment groups did not differ in terms of their need for urgent treatment or for admissions to a hospital for asthma in the 3-month study period. Groups were also similar regarding the need for systemic corticosteroid treatment for asthma exacerbations. Subjects in the symptom group averaged 0.75 times of action plan step utilization while subjects in the peak flow meter group averaged 0.25 times. The symptom group averaged 0.42 phone calls to the clinic during the 3-month period while the peak flow group averaged 0.75 calls.

While all asthmatic children and their parents should receive an asthma action plan, there appear to be no clear advantages for a peak flow meter based action plan versus one that is symptom based.