Cognitive flexibility and associated factors in stable asthma patients: the mediating role of treatment adherence

Aims: Hypoxia and inflammation may negatively impact cognitive functions in asthma. One such function, cognitive flexibility, has not been sufficiently studied in asthma patients. This study evaluates cognitive flexibility levels in patients with stable asthma and investigates the mediating role of treatment adherence in this relationship. Methods: A total of 74 patients aged 18 to 65, diagnosed with asthma for at least six months and in a stable phase, followed in a pulmonology outpatient clinic, were included. Results: Participants completed a sociodemographic data form, the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Low treatment adherence was observed in 45.9% of participants, and these individuals had significantly lower cognitive flexibility scores (p