Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Effect of an Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on Exercise Tolerance and Asthma Control in Obese Asthma
Yasemin Türk1, Astrid van Huisstede, Frits M E Franssen
1Department of Pulmonology, Franciscus Gasthuis, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (Drs Türk, van Huisstede, Rudolphus, and Braunstahl); Department of Research and Education, CIRO+, Horn, the Netherlands (Dr Franssen); and Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands (Messrs Hiemstra and Taube).
Purpose:
To compare the effects of an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on exercise tolerance and asthma control in obese and nonobese patients with asthma.
Methods:
Nonobese (body mass index [BMI] <30 kg/m) and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m) patients with asthma who participated in a local multidisciplinary 12-week PR program were analyzed retrospectively. Effects of PR were assessed by changes in 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ).
Results:
A total of 138 asthma patients were included: 53 (38.4%) obese and 85 (61.6%) nonobese. At baseline, obese patients with asthma had a lower level of exercise tolerance reflected by a lower 6MWD (525 m vs 621 m; P < .001). After PR, the 6MWD improved significantly in both groups (≥50 m in nonobese vs ≥45 m in obese; P < .001 in both groups). The improvement in 6MWD was clinically relevant in 71% of the nonobese and 60% of the obese patients. These patients had lower 6MWD (P = .024), higher usage of long-acting β-agonist (P = .034) and oral corticosteroids (P = .033). Asthma control also improved in both groups (ΔACQ -0.3 in nonobese vs ΔACQ -0.4 in obese; P = .021 and P = .019, respectively). Clinically relevant improvement was achieved by 46.5% of nonobese and 51.9% of obese patients with asthma. The improvements between the groups were not statistically different.
Conclusions:
A standardized PR program is feasible in obese patients with asthma and they benefit as much as nonobese patients with asthma. However, there are still a large number of patients who show no clinically significant improvement. Patients with more severe asthma seem to benefit the most from PR.
More Related Videos
09:42Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Published on: November 8, 2013
04:24Acupoint Application as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fatigue Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: September 5, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation