Characteristics of responders in a behavioral intervention to increase physical activity in asthma: a prospective pragmatic study

<bold>Aims:</bold> To evaluate the characteristics of responders in a behavioral intervention (BI) to increase physical activity in daily life (PADL) in asthma and its effects in the short and medium terms. <bold>Methods:</bold> Fifty-three patients underwent an educational program and an eight-week (1x/week) face-to-face BI to increase PADL. Individuals were evaluated pre-, post-intervention (short-term), and after four months of follow-up (medium-term). <bold>Assessments included:</bold> PADL (accelerometry), clinical control (Asthma Control Questionnaire, ACQ), quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, AQLQ), anxiety and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS). Subjects were classified based on the increase in steps/day after intervention as good responder (≥2,500), somewhat responders (600-2499), and nonresponders (≤599). <bold>Results:</bold> After the intervention, individuals had an increase in the number of steps/day and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). They also presented a reduction in ACQ and an increase in AQLQ scores (p<0.05) that was sustained after four months of follow-up. At baseline, good responders had a BMI lower than somewhat and non-responders (26.9±5.6; 33.7±6.3; 33.8±11.8, respectively) (p=0.01) and had lower ACQ scores. The non-responders had higher MVPA compared to good and somewhat responders at baseline (15.1±9.3, 8.5±6.6, and 9.6±6.2 min/day, respectively; p=0.02). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Behavioral intervention improves PADL, clinical control, and quality of life in the short term, which is kept at medium term. BMI, PADL, and clinical asthma control are the baseline characteristics that differentiate responders and non-responders.