The Feasibility of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Black Women with Asthma

Black women are disproportionately affected by both physical inactivity and asthma. Lifestyle physical activity (PA) interventions targeted for Black women with asthma are lacking.

To assess the feasibility and acceptability as well as preliminary effects of a lifestyle PA intervention culturally tailored for Black women with asthma.

Black women (age 18-70 years) with uncontrolled asthma (Asthma Control Test <20) were recruited. Outcome assessments at baseline and 24 weeks included measures of: feasibility and acceptability, asthma control, quality of life, health care use, and PA levels. Participants were randomized to the intervention (asthma education, Fitbit, monthly group sessions, text messages, individual step goals, and study manual) or enhanced usual care (EUC) (asthma education plus Fitbit) group.

Of the 53 women randomized (EUC = 28; intervention = 25), 92% remained in the intervention (23 of 25) and 76% completing the 24-week outcome assessment. Overall intervention satisfaction (mean score, 6.88 of 7) and individual components were high at 24 weeks. Mean change in asthma control questionnaire between groups was not significant at 24 weeks (intervention = -0.41 vs EUC = 0.03 [P = .08]; effect size = -0.38) but approached clinical significance (0.5). At 24 weeks, more women receiving the intervention had controlled asthma compared with EUC (36.84% vs 9.52%; P = .04). Clinically significant improvements (0.5) in quality of life were found in the intervention group (mean change: intervention = 0.58 vs EUC = 0.10; P = .10) at 24 weeks.

A culturally tailored lifestyle PA intervention is feasible and demonstrates improvements in asthma control and quality of life among Black women with asthma. These preliminary findings support the need for PA lifestyle interventions in urban Black women with asthma.