Aerobic training decreases bronchial hyperresponsiveness and systemic inflammation in patients with moderate or severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial

Author(s):Show less -

Franca-Pinto, Andrezza ^{[1, 2]} ; Mendes, Felipe A. R. ^[3] ; de Carvalho-Pinto, Regina Maria ^[4] ; Agondi, Rosana Camara ^{[1, 2]} ; Cukier, Alberto ^[4] ; Stelmach, Rafael ^[4] ; Saraiva-Romanholo, Beatriz M. ^[5] ; Kalil, Jorge ^{[1, 2]} ; Martins, Milton A. ^[5] ; Giavina-Bianchi, Pedro ^{[1, 2]} ; Carvalho, Celso R. F. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Clin Immunol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Allergy, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Phys Therapy, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Pulm Div, Heart Inst InCor, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Med, Lab Expt Therapeut LIM 20, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: THORAX; v. 70, n. 8, p. 732-739, AUG 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 46

Abstract

Background The benefits of aerobic training for the main features of asthma, such as bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and inflammation, are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of aerobic training on BHR (primary outcome), serum inflammatory cytokines (secondary outcome), clinical control and asthma quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ)) (tertiary outcomes). Methods Fifty-eight patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG) or the aerobic training group (TG). Patients in the CG (educational programme+breathing exercises (sham)) and the TG (same as the CG+aerobic training) were followed for 3 months. BHR, serum cytokine, clinical control, AQLQ, induced sputum and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results After 12 weeks, 43 patients (21 CG/22 TG) completed the study and were analysed. The TG improved in BHR by 1 doubling dose (dd) (95% CI 0.3 to 1.7 dd), and they experienced reduced interleukin 6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and improved AQLQ and asthma exacerbation (p<0.05). No effects were seen for IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, sputum cellularity, FeNO or Asthma Control Questionnaire 7 (ACQ-7; p>0.05). A within-group difference was found in the ACQ-6 for patients with non-well-controlled asthma and in sputum eosinophil and FeNO in patients in the TG who had worse airway inflammation. Conclusions Aerobic training reduced BHR and serum proinflammatory cytokines and improved quality of life and asthma exacerbation in patients with moderate or severe asthma. These results suggest that adding exercise as an adjunct therapy to pharmacological treatment could improve the main features of asthma. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/53904-9 - Effects of environment and lifestyle on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: studies with experimental animals and people with asthma
• Grantee: Milton de Arruda Martins
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants