Table 1 Basic characteristics of the included studies
Study | Country | Design | Participants | Interventions | Outcomes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
França-Pinto et al. [24] | Brazil | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 17/5; CG: 17/4 Age(years): EG: 40 ± 11; CG: 44 ± 9 Participants randomly assigned: 43 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 22; CG: 21 | EG: breathing exercise programme + educational programme + aerobic training programme CG: breathing exercise programme + educational programme Duration of treatments: 3 months | IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, IgE, clinical control (asthma symptom-free days, ACQ), AQLQ, induced sputum, exercise capacity (VO2 max, maximal workload, pulmonary function (FEV1, FEV1% predicted) |  |
Cochrane and Clark [25] | Scotland | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): 22/14 Age(years): EG: 27 ± 7; CG: 28 ± 8 Participants randomly assigned: 36 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 18; CG: 18 | EG: physical training (aerobic exercises, stretching exercises) + educational sessions CG: educational sessions Duration of treatments: 3 months | FEV1, FEV1% pre, VO2 max, oxygen pulse, body fat, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, max heart rate, VE max, VT, RR, VEO2, DI max (%) |  |
Refaat and Gawish [26] | Kuwait | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 21/17; CG: 16/14 Age(years): EG: 35.8 ± 1.7; CG: 38 ± 5.3 Participants randomly assigned: 68 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 38; CG: 30 | EG: physical training + standard medical care CG: standard medical care Duration of treatments: 3 months | AQLQ, pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, PEF) |  |
Toennesen et al. [27] | Denmark | RCT, 4 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 22/7; CG: 25/8 Age(years): EG: 43.7 ± 13.9; CG: 40.7 ± 14.7 Participants randomly assigned: 62 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 29; CG: 33 | EG: high-intensity interval training CG: diet Duration of treatments: 8 weeks | AQLQ, ACQ, VO2 max, FEV1%pred, FVC %pred, FENO, serum IL-6, serum hs-CRP, blood eosinophils, sputum eosinophils (%), sputum neutrophils (%) | Data from exercise and diet groups were analysed |
Turner et al. [28] | Australia | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 11/8; CG: 8/7 Age(years): EG: 65.3 ± 10.8, CG: 71.0 ± 9.7 Participants randomly assigned: 34 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 19; CG: 15 | EG: exercise training + standard medical care CG: standard medical care Duration of treatments: 3 months | AQLQ, ACQ, SF-36, 6 MWD, HADS, peak heart rate, SpO2 end test, dyspnoea end test, Quadriceps strength (% of pre), Hand grip strength (% of pre) |  |
Shaw and Shaw [29] | South Africa | RCT, 4 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 8/14; CG: 8/14 Age(years): EG: 21.95 ± 3.87; CG: 21.90 ± 3.89 Participants randomly assigned: 44 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 22; CG: 22 | EG: aerobic exercise CG: normal daily activities Duration of treatments: 8 weeks | FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, MVV, IVC, VE, VT, mean chest circumferences at the height of the second intercostal space | Data from aerobic exercise (AE) and nonexercise control (NE) groups were analysed |
Cambach et al. [30] | the Netherlands | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 18/4; CG: 14/7 Age(years): EG: 40 ± 10; CG: 53 ± 15 Participants randomly assigned: 43 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 22; CG: 21 | EG: PR + drug treatment CG: drug treatment Duration of treatments: 3 months | QOL, exercise tolerance (endurance time, cardiac frequency, 6 MWD) | A crossover design study, data of phase 1(from baseline to 3 months) were analysed |
Freitas et al. [31] | Brazil | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 25/1; CG: 25/0 Age(years): EG: 45.9 ± 7.7; CG: 48.5 ± 9.6 Participants randomly assigned: 51 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 26; CG: 25 | EG: a weight-loss programme + exercise CG: a weight-loss programme + sham exercise Duration of treatments: 3 months | AQLQ, ACQ, pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, TLC, ERV), strength of muscle, VO2 max, work rate | Sham exercise; stretching exercise and breathing exercise that did not affect asthma control |
Freitas et al. [32] | Brazil | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 25/1; CG: 25/0 Age(years): EG: 45.9 ± 7.7; CG: 48.5 ± 9.6 Participants randomly assigned: 51 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 26; CG: 25 | EG: a weight-loss programme + exercise CG: a weight-loss programme + sham exercise Duration of treatments: 3 months | asthma symptom-free days | Sham exercise; stretching exercise and breathing exercise that did not affect asthma control |
Coelho et al. [33] | Brazil | RCT, 2 arms | Participant status: Sex(F/M): EG: 18/2; CG: 14/3 Age(years): EG: 45.0 ± 19.0; CG: 47.0 ± 14.0 Participants randomly assigned: 37 participants were randomly assigned Analysed: EG: 20; CG: 17 | EG: physical activity + usual care CG: usual care Duration of treatments: 3 months | AQLQ, ACQ, HADS, daily steps, 6 MWD |  |