Aerobic and Respiratory Exercises on Asthma
Condition: Asthma
MeSH terms: Asthma
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Many studies have reported the benefits of aerobic and breathing exercises such as, reduction
      of symptoms and reduced the use of medications, the number of crises, exercise induced
      bronchoconstriction (EIB), and improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This
      study will be a randomized and controlled trial (RCT) with 2 parallel arms and blinded
      assessment. Fifty-four moderate or severe patients with asthma under optimized medication
      will be randomly assigned (computer-generated) into either aerobic+breathing exercises (AB)
      or aerobic+stretching exercises (AS). All patients will receive the same educational session
      and will perform the physical exercise proposed for the group for 12 weeks, 2 times/week,
      60-minute sessions; however, the AB group will perform Buteyko breathing technique and AS
      will perform muscle stretching exercise. All patients will be assessed to clinical control,
      quality of life, psychosocial symptoms, pulmonary function, functional capacity, physical
      activity levels, sleep quality, thoracoabdominal mechanics, hyperventilation symptoms, and
      asthma exacerbation. The data normality will be analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The variables
      obtained before interventions will be compared using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test.
      Comparisons of the outcomes initial and final data will be analyzed with repeated measures
      ANOVA with appropriate post hoc test. The significance level will be set to 5% for all tests.
    

Detailed description: 
      Many studies have reported the benefits of aerobic and breathing exercises such as, reduction
      of symptoms and reduced the use of medications, the number of crises, exercise induced
      bronchoconstriction (EIB), and improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This
      study will be a randomized and controlled trial (RCT) with 2 parallel arms and blinded
      assessment. Fifty-four moderate or severe patients with asthma under optimized medication
      will be randomly assigned (computer-generated) into either aerobic+breathing exercises (AB)
      or aerobic+stretching exercises (AS). All patients will receive the same educational session
      and will perform the physical exercise proposed for the group for 12 weeks, 2 times/week,
      60-minute sessions; however, the AB group will perform Buteyko breathing technique and AS
      will perform muscle stretching exercise. All patients will be assessed to clinical control,
      quality of life, psychosocial symptoms, pulmonary function, functional capacity, physical
      activity levels, sleep quality, thoracoabdominal mechanics, hyperventilation symptoms, and
      asthma exacerbation. The data normality will be analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The variables
      obtained before interventions will be compared using the t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test.
      Comparisons of the outcomes initial and final data will be analyzed with repeated measures
      ANOVA with appropriate post hoc test. The significance level will be set to 5% for all tests.
    

Intervention name(s): Aerobic and Breathing Exercises; Aerobic and Stretching Exercises
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Aerobic exercises will be performed on a treadmill, twice a week, totaling 20 sessions of 60 minutes each. The initial intensity will be 50% to 60% of maximum heart rate and the progression will take place according to the level of effort (Borg) in the last two sessions. In addition, following the aerobic training, Buteyko Breathing Technique also will be performed during 20 minutes each exercise, in the same treatment session. During the first two weeks, the patient will learn the technique supervised by a physical therapist. In addition, the patients will receive a breathing exercise booklet for in-home training. Before and after each session, patients will be evaluated in relation to blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and asthma symptoms.; Aerobic exercises will be performed on a treadmill, twice a week, totaling 20 sessions of 60 minutes each. The initial intensity will be 50% to 60% of maximum heart rate and the progression will take place according to the level of effort (Borg) in the last two sessions. In addition, following the aerobic training, stretching exercises will be performing for major muscle groups, during 30 seconds each one. The patients will receive a stretching exercise booklet for in-home training.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Aerobic exercises; Respiratory exercises; Asthma clinical control