ONLINE behavior change intervention did not increase physical activity in asthma participants however asthma control strengthened.
Online Behavior Change Intervention and Physical Activity
Researchers evaluated whether an Online Behavior Change Intervention could increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in adults with stable asthma. In this randomized controlled trial, both groups received an educational program, while the intervention group additionally completed a 12-week online behavior change intervention.
Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured objectively using accelerometry at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and again at 6 month follow up. The trial was powered to detect change in steps per day, with a planned sample size of 46. Ultimately, 51 participants were included and randomized, with a mean age of 41 years, mean BMI of 31 kg/m², and mean FEV1 of 78% predicted.
Despite improvements within the intervention group during the 12-week period, the between group comparison showed no significant post intervention differences for any physical activity or sedentary behavior variables. In other words, adding the Online Behavior Change Intervention to education did not produce measurable gains in overall activity compared with education alone.
Online Behavior Change Intervention Effects on Asthma Control
Although activity outcomes were unchanged between groups, several secondary outcomes favored the intervention. Participants receiving the Online Behavior Change Intervention reported higher exercise motivation and greater feelings of competence to exercise than controls after the intervention.
The intervention group also appeared more likely to achieve clinically meaningful improvements, with a greater proportion meeting the minimal important difference thresholds for asthma control and quality of life compared with the control group. These findings suggest the intervention’s impact may be more evident in self-management related outcomes than in accelerometer captured activity behavior.
Clinical Takeaway
For clinicians considering digital behavior support tools, these results highlight an important distinction: an Online Behavior Change Intervention may strengthen motivation and perceived capability, and may support asthma control and quality of life, even when objective physical activity does not increase.
Reference: de Oliveira JM et al. Short and medium term efficacy of an online behaviour change intervention on physical activity in adults with asthma. Sci Rep. 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-34470-w.
