Physical Activity Intervention for Urban Black Women With Asthma: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Efficacy Study
Authors: Davis Ellen , Townsend Elizabeth , Cavalier Aero , Chen Yi-Fan , Edwards-Hart Dameka , Kitsiou Spyros , Kowalczyk Wiktoria , Mansur Iliana , Okpara Ebere , Powell Karen , Press Valerie G , Ramirez Toni , Salvo Deborah , Sharp Lisa K , Wright Brittani , Nyenhuis Sharmilee Maria 
Published: February 2024

Background

Black women experience a higher prevalence of poor asthma outcomes and physical inactivity than their White counterparts. Black women comprise a particularly vulnerable group of patients with asthma, with some of the highest rates of asthma in adults, high health care use (emergency department visits and hospitalizations), and the highest crude asthma mortality rate of all race or ethnicity groups. Despite recommendations to engage in regular physical activity, fewer than 15% of Black women meet the 2008 National Physical Activity Guidelines, the lowest of all racial subgroups of adults. Given the connection between physical inactivity and poor asthma outcomes, addressing physical activity among Black women with asthma is imperative.

Objective

This 2-arm randomized controlled trial aims to (1) determine the efficacy of a lifestyle walking intervention on asthma control compared to an education (control) group over 24 weeks, (2) examine the maintenance effects of the lifestyle walking intervention on asthma control at 48 weeks, (3) explore the behavioral mediators (eg, self-efficacy, social support, self-regulation, and daily physical activity levels) and contextual moderators (eg, baseline asthma severity, neighborhood environment, comorbid conditions, and social determinants of health) that contribute to treatment responsiveness, and (4) assess the reach and implementation potential of the intervention.

Methods

The proposed study (ACTION [A Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Minority Women with Asthma]) delivers a 24-week lifestyle walking intervention designed for and by urban Black women with asthma. Participants (n=224) will be recruited through 2 urban health care systems that care for a diverse Black population. Patients will be randomized to one of two groups: (1) ACTION intervention (group sessions, physical activity self-monitoring—Fitbit, and text-based support for step goal setting) or (2) education control (an individual asthma education session and SMS text messages related to asthma education). Outcome assessments will take place at baseline, 12, 24, and 48 weeks. The primary outcome is a change in asthma control from baseline to week 24 as assessed by the asthma control questionnaire-6 (ACQ-6). Secondary outcomes include asthma-related quality of life, health care use, and asthma exacerbations and behavioral outcomes such as self-efficacy, self-regulation, social support, and physical activity.

Results

This study was funded by the National Institute of Minority Health Disparities in August 2022. We pilot-tested our recruitment and intervention procedures and began recruitment in April 2023, with the enrollment of our first participant in May 2023. The anticipated completion of the study is April 2027.

Conclusions

This study will deliver a new approach to physical activity interventions in Black women with asthma and help to provide guidance for addressing physical activity within this subgroup. This study will also provide a potential framework for future studies in minoritized populations with other disease conditions associated with low levels of physical activity.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05726487; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05726487

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/55700