Virtual Breathing Intervention for Enhancing Asthma-related Quality of Life - A Randomized Controlled Trial (BREATHE)
Effectiveness, Feasibility, and Acceptability of a 12-Week Virtual Breathing Training Program to Improve Disease-Specific Quality of Life in Adults With Asthma and Incomplete Symptom Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Asthma is a common long-term lung condition that can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, and anxiety. Even with appropriate medication, about 30-40% of people with asthma do not achieve good symptom control and continue to experience reduced quality of life.
Breathing exercises are recommended as an additional, non-drug treatment for asthma. However, these programs are not widely available outside of rehabilitation clinics, and more scientific evidence is needed, especially for digital formats.
This study aims to investigate whether a 12-week structured breathing training program delivered online can improve asthma-related quality of life in adults whose asthma is not well controlled. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a control group receiving usual care.
The intervention consists of weekly live, group-based breathing sessions led by trained physiotherapists via videoconference, combined with short daily self-practice exercises at home. Participants will also use a simple breathing device to support the exercises. The control group will continue their usual medical care without additional breathing training.
We will assess whether the program improves quality of life, asthma control, and symptoms such as anxiety, stress, and dysfunctional breathing. The study will also evaluate whether the online format is feasible, acceptable, and satisfactory for participants.
The breathing exercises are non-invasive and low risk. The results of this study may help to develop accessible, low-cost, and evidence-based support programs for people with asthma.
Tutkimuksen yleiskatsaus
Tila
Ehdot
Interventio / Hoito
Opintotyyppi
Ilmoittautuminen (Arvioitu)
Vaihe
- Ei sovellettavissa
Yhteystiedot ja paikat
Opiskeluyhteys
- Nimi: Inga Jarosch, Dr.
- Puhelinnumero: 1730 +49 8652 93
- Sähköposti: ijarosch@schoen-klinik.de
Osallistumiskriteerit
Kelpoisuusvaatimukset
Opintokelpoiset iät
- Aikuinen
- Vanhempi Aikuinen
Hyväksyy terveitä vapaaehtoisia
Kuvaus
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults aged ≥18 years
- Asthma bronchiale
- Partly controlled or uncontrolled asthma according to GINA 2025 criteria
- Access to internet and compatible smartphone for digital intervention and data collection
Exclusion Criteria:
- Clinically relevant nasal obstruction (e.g., severe septal deviation, nasal polyps) affecting nasal breathing
- Current regular use of structured breathing therapy or breathing training devices
- Participation in another interventional clinical trial that may interfere with outcomes
- Severe comorbid conditions limiting participation in mild physical or breathing exercise (e.g., unstable cardiovascular disease)
- Lack of willingness or ability to use required digital tools (video platform, wearable device, smartphone app)
Opintosuunnitelma
Miten tutkimus on suunniteltu?
Suunnittelun yksityiskohdat
- Ensisijainen käyttötarkoitus: Terveyspalvelututkimus
- Jako: Satunnaistettu
- Inventiomalli: Rinnakkaistehtävä
- Naamiointi: Yksittäinen
Aseet ja interventiot
Osallistujaryhmä / Arm |
Interventio / Hoito |
|---|---|
|
Kokeellinen: Experimental Group
Virtual Breathing Training Program
|
A 12-week structured, physiotherapist-led breathing training delivered via weekly live video group sessions combined with daily home-based exercises.
The program includes breathing techniques such as nasal breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and breathing control strategies.
Participants also use a breathing training device to support the exercises.
|
|
Active Comparator: Usual Care Group
Usual Care
|
Standard medical care for asthma according to current guidelines without additional breathing training intervention.
|
Mitä tutkimuksessa mitataan?
Ensisijaiset tulostoimenpiteet
Tulosmittaus |
Toimenpiteen kuvaus |
Aikaikkuna |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Asthma-related quality of life (AQLQ)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Change in disease-specific quality of life measured using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).
The AQLQ is a validated instrument for adults with asthma.
Scores range from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
A change of 0.5 points is considered clinically meaningful.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Toissijaiset tulostoimenpiteet
Tulosmittaus |
Toimenpiteen kuvaus |
Aikaikkuna |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Asthma Control
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks (also assessed every 2 weeks)
|
Change in asthma control measured using the Asthma Control Test (ACT).
|
Baseline to 12 weeks (also assessed every 2 weeks)
|
|
Change in Dysfunctional Breathing Symptoms
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Change in symptoms of dysfunctional breathing measured by the Nijmegen Questionnaire
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physiological parameters (wearable-derived)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Heart rate, assessed via wearable device.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physiological parameters (wearable-derived)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Heart rate variability, assessed via wearable device.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physical Performance
Aikaikkuna: Baseline and 12 weeks
|
Change in physical performance assessed using the 1-minute sit-to-stand test.
|
Baseline and 12 weeks
|
|
Participant Satisfaction
Aikaikkuna: At 12 weeks
|
Participant-reported satisfaction with the intervention measured using a study-specific questionnaire (5-point Likert scale).
|
At 12 weeks
|
|
Number of Treatment-related Adverse Events
Aikaikkuna: Throughout the 12-week study period
|
Incidence of adverse events including dizziness, discomfort, asthma exacerbations, changes in medication use, and use of rescue medication.
|
Throughout the 12-week study period
|
|
Time to Clinically Meaningful Improvement
Aikaikkuna: Assessed every 2 weeks up to 12 weeks
|
Time to first achievement of a clinically meaningful improvement (≥0.5 points) in AQLQ or ACT.
|
Assessed every 2 weeks up to 12 weeks
|
|
Adherence and Engagement
Aikaikkuna: 12-week intervention period
|
Attendance at supervised sessions and frequency of home-based breathing exercises (self-reported diary).
|
12-week intervention period
|
|
Change in Psychological outcomes
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Changes in anxiety (GAD-7)
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Psychological outcomes
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Changes in depression (PHQ-9)
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Psychological outcomes
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Changes in perceived stress (PSS) scores.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physiological parameters (wearable-derived)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Respiratory rate, assessed via wearable device.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physiological parameters (wearable-derived)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Sleep duration, assessed via wearable device.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
|
Change in Physiological parameters (wearable-derived)
Aikaikkuna: Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Daily physical activity (step count), assessed via wearable device.
|
Baseline to 12 weeks
|
Yhteistyökumppanit ja tutkijat
Sponsori
Yhteistyökumppanit
Opintojen ennätyspäivät
Opi tärkeimmät päivämäärät
Opiskelun aloitus (Arvioitu)
Ensisijainen valmistuminen (Arvioitu)
Opintojen valmistuminen (Arvioitu)
Opintoihin ilmoittautumispäivät
Ensimmäinen lähetetty
Ensimmäinen toimitettu, joka täytti QC-kriteerit
Ensimmäinen Lähetetty (Todellinen)
Tutkimustietojen päivitykset
Viimeisin päivitys julkaistu (Todellinen)
Viimeisin lähetetty päivitys, joka täytti QC-kriteerit
Viimeksi vahvistettu
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