TY - JOUR T1 - Highlights from this issue JF - Thorax JO - Thorax SP - i LP - i DO - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202493 VL - 67 IS - 9 AU - Andrew Bush AU - Ian Pavord Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/67/9/i.abstract N2 - There is an increasing realisation of the interactions between the mind and the airway, with appreciation that mental stress impacts asthma. This is not the start of the slippery slope back to asthma being due to lack of moral fibre, but rather the realisation that there is more to asthma treatment than selecting the right coloured inhaler, and (radical idea, this) actually ensuring it is used. Pbert et al (Editors' choice: (see page 769)) compared two 8-week interventions, a mindfulness training program and a ‘placebo’ of a healthy living course (which naturally your editors study assiduously every day). There was a beneficial effect on asthma quality of life score a year later and perceived stress, although not in lung function or number of patients with well-controlled asthma. It is known that stress amplifies the inflammatory response to inhalant allergens (Am J Respir Crit … ER -