Addressing lifestyle physical activity among minority women with asthma
Published: July 29, 2021
Black women are disproportionately impacted by both physical inactivity and asthma. Lifestyle physical activity interventions targeted for Black women with asthma are lacking. A recent study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice assessed the feasibility/acceptability and preliminary effects of a lifestyle physical activity intervention culturally tailored for Black women with asthma.
Nyenhuis et al recruited Black women (18-70 years old) with uncontrolled asthma from an urban academic medical center. They assessed measures of study feasibility, participant acceptability, asthma control, asthma-related quality of life, health care utilization, and physical activity levels. Participants randomized to the intervention received asthma education, a Fitbit, monthly group sessions, text messages 3 times a week, individualized step goals and a study manual while those randomized to enhanced usual care received asthma education as well as a Fitbit.
The intervention was feasible with 92% of participants in the intervention remaining in the study after 24-weeks and 76% completing the 24-week outcome assessment. Overall intervention satisfaction and their individual components was high at 24-weeks. At 24-weeks, more women receiving the intervention had controlled asthma compared to the enhanced usual care group. Clinically significant improvements in quality of life were found in intervention group at 24-weeks.
A culturally tailored lifestyle physical activity intervention is feasible and demonstrates improvements in asthma control and quality of life among Black women with asthma.
Lifestyle physical activity, such as walking, should be promoted to minority adults with asthma to help improve asthma symptoms and quality of life. Local government and community organizations need to support green space development and create safe places to engage in walking particularly in low-income minority communities where high rates of asthma exist.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice is an official journal of the AAAAI, focusing on practical information for the practicing clinician.
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