Behavioural therapy may improve physical activity, sleep quality in asthma patients

Individuals with asthma may benefit from a behavioural intervention to increase their physical activity (PA), which may lead to improvements in quality of life and sleep, as well as a reduction in asthma and anxiety symptoms, suggest the results of a recent study.

The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of a behavioural intervention to increase PA in daily living (PADL) on sleep quality in adults with asthma, as well as to validate the association between change in sleep quality, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and asthma symptoms.

Forty-nine physically inactive adults with asthma were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=24) or control group (n=25). Participants in the intervention group received a behavioural intervention to increase PADL, while controls received the usual care.

Finally, the authors performed pre- and postintervention assessments of sleep quality using actigraphy and questionnaire, PADL level using accelerometry, asthma control, health-related quality of life, and anxiety and depression levels.

At baseline, both the intervention and control groups had similar characteristics. Compared with the latter, the intervention group had increased daily steps and moderate-to-vigorous PA levels, better sleep efficiency, and longer asthma symptom-free days. More patients who received behavioural intervention also had improved sleep quality.

Finally, clinical improvements in the asthma-related quality of life questionnaire and fewer anxiety symptoms were observed among participants in the intervention group.

“Our results demonstrate that a behavioural intervention can increase PA; enhance behavioural sleep quality, efficiency, and quality of life; and reduce asthma and anxiety symptoms,” the authors said.