Multicomponent Breathlessness and Physical Activity Intervention in People With Asthma Using a Digital Platform

Multicomponent Breathlessness and Physical Activity Intervention in People With Moderate to Severe Asthma Using a Supported Digital Platform

Treating breathlessness could help people with asthma have fewer symptoms and be more physically active. People with asthma report that it is important to deal with breathlessness during physical activity programs, but past research hasn't focused on this need.

The investigators have developed a multicomponent digitally supported intervention targeting breathlessness and physical inactivity. This study will test whether the multicomponent digital supported intervention will help people with asthma. The main question the study aims to answer is:

Does the multicomponent digitally supported intervention improve quality of life?

Participants will:

• Be allocated to the intervention or usual care. Allocation to either group will be random (like tossing a coin).
• Attend study visits to complete an assessment involving questionnaires and measurements
• Receive telephone calls to ask questions about health
• Be invited to take part in an interview to have a conversation about thoughts on participating in the study
• Be asked to provide consent to collect information from Services Australia regarding use of health care services and medications

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years or older
• Able to provide informed consent
• Evidence of variable airflow limitation within the past 10-years to confirm asthma diagnosis
• Meets diagnostic criteria for moderate, or severe asthma
• Reports breathlessness impacting daily life physical activities (modified Medical Research Council [mMRC] dyspnoea score ≥1) within the past 1-week
• Owns a smart device with internet access, which they are willing and able to use for the study duration

Exclusion Criteria:

• High dependence on medical care
• Significant life-limiting comorbidity (<12 months life expectancy)
• Cognitive impairment, poor English language skills or significant untreated hearing impairment that prevents completion of data collection forms or understanding of verbal instructions
• Current participation in any other clinical trial, or participation in another clinical trial within the 4-weeks preceding study entry.