The correlation between duration of Indonesian Asthma Gymnastics and Asthma Control Test Score among Persahabatan Hospital Asthma Club Members in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Indonesian Asthma Gymnastics (IAG) exercise has beenassociated with reducing asthmatic symptoms and increase lung function in asthmatic patient. This study aims to understand the correlation between the duration of IAG exercise and other factors that might affect to the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score amongst Persahabatan Hospital Asthma Club members.Methodology: The data is obtained by asking 28 asthmatic Persahabatan Hospital Asthma Club members to answer two questionnaires, of which one is ACT questionnaire and their personal information questionnaire regarding their duration of exercise, age, gender and smoking history.Results: The duration of IAG exercise, with median of 33 months (1-360), is significantly correlated by positive association with ACT score (P=0.022). Other factors that are significantly correlated as well with ACT score are age (P=0.020), also positively correlated, and gender (P=0.002) with males having better ACT score than females. Smoking history does not exhibit a significant correlation with ACT score (P=0.816) as there is no subject who is an active smoker.Conclusion: IAG does not trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in asthmatic patient. The addition of duration of joining IAG does not improve the value of post-exercise peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Age and gender are interrelated in affecting PEFR post-exercise. Smoking history of people who have long quit smoking and increased body mass index (BMI) does not affect PEFR value post-exercise.