The role of exercise training in a weight loss program on psychosocial morbidity, sleep quality and physical activity in obese asthmatics: A RCT

Background: Obese asthmatics have more symptoms, impairment in quality of life, higher levels of anxiety and depression, reduced daily life physical activities (DLPA) and sleep disorders. Weight-loss is known to improve asthma control; however the role of exercise training to reduce psychological distress and sleep quality remains unknown. Aim: To assess the effect of exercise training in a weight-loss program on psychosocial morbidity, sleep quality, and DLPA in obese asthmatics. Methods: 55 obese clinically stable asthmatics wererandomly assigned to either weight-loss program+exercise (WL+E group) (2xweek for 3 months) or weight-loss program+sham exercise (WL+S group) Before and after intervention, it was assessed health related quality of life (AQLQ), levels of anxiety and depression symptoms (HADs), sleep quality (Actisleep) or disorders (Berlin questionnaire), asthma symptoms (daily diary) and DLPA (GT3X accelerometer). Results: After 3 months, WL+E group improved quality of life (1.1±1.0 vs . 0.5±1.0score), asthma free-day symptoms (14.5±9.6 vs. 8.2±11.9), sleep latency (-3.7±6.0 vs. 0.2±5.5min), sleep efficiency (6.6±5.1vs. 1.3±4.7%) and DLPA (3.274±2.693 vs. 729±1.145 steps/day) compared to WL+S, respectively. It was also observed that patients from the WL+E group presented a reduction in the levels of depression symptoms (76.4% vs. 16.6%) and the proportion of obstructive sleep apnea (56.5% vs. 16.3%) compared with the WL+S group (p Conclusions: Increase in exercise fitness is an important adjuvant therapy in a weight loss program to improve symptoms and healthy status in obese asthmatics.