Late-breaking study finds aerobic exercise significantly improved asthma control

GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 19, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers from Hospital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, the Montreal Chest Institute, and Concordia University in Montréal, Canada, conducted a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program for patients with asthma and found that exercise yielded significant improvements in asthma control. This study was designed using the ORBIT framework to assess the impact of aerobic exercise on asthma control.

The study recruited 66 adult patients with confirmed asthma and poor asthma control and was randomized to receive 12 weeks of usual care or supervised aerobic exercise. After completion of the intervention, the investigators found that patients in the exercise group had clinically and statistically improved asthma control (0.5 decrease in ACQ), short-acting bronchodilator (SABA) usage (nearly three times less per week), and depressive symptoms (four-point drop in BDI-II).

"A 12-week structured aerobic exercise program could be considered as an adjunct to current pharmacological therapy in adult asthma patients with poor asthma control," said Dr. Simon Bacon, Director of the Sacre-Coeur rehabilitation centre and lead researcher.

Further results will be shared during CHEST 2015 on Tuesday, October 27, at 8:45 am at Palais des congrès de Montréal, room 513ef. The study abstract can be viewed on the CHEST website. (http://bit.ly/1Nkgkni)

CHEST 2015 is the 81st annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held October 24-28, 2015, in Montréal, Canada. The American College of Chest Physicians, publisher of the journal CHEST, is the global leader in advancing best patient outcomes through innovative chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,700 members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For more information about CHEST 2015, visit http://chestmeeting.chestnet.org, or follow the CHEST meeting hashtag, #CHEST2015, on social media.