Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Physical Activity for People with Asthma

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the University of São Paulo and published in the ERJ Open Research journal has shed light on the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for physical activity in people with moderate-to-severe asthma. The study aimed to estimate the MCID for physical activity in daily life (PADL) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in individuals with asthma. The research found that the MCID estimates for steps per day ranged from 446 to 1995, and for MVPA, the estimates ranged from 2 to 13 minutes per day. The pooled MCIDs were 1413 steps per day and 8 minutes of MVPA per day.

Key Takeaways:

  • The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for physical activity in daily life (PADL) in people with moderate-to-severe asthma was estimated to be 1413 steps per day.
  • The MCID for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in people with asthma was estimated to be 8 minutes per day.
  • The study found that increasing physical activity in daily life can improve asthma clinical control and quality of life.
  • The research was funded by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico and Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo.
  • The study included data from consecutive individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma who completed an 8-week behavioral intervention to increase PADL.
  • The MCID estimates were derived from anchor-based methods (linear regression and receiver operating characteristic curves) and distribution-based methods (half of the standard deviation and the standard error of the mean).

Statistics:

  • The MCID estimates for steps per day ranged from 446 to 1995.
  • The MCID estimates for MVPA ranged from 2 to 13 minutes per day.
  • The pooled MCID for PADL was 1413 steps per day.
  • The pooled MCID for MVPA was 8 minutes per day.
  • The study included data from 100 consecutive individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma.

Sources:

  • "Minimal Clinically Important Difference In Physical Activity In People With Asthma." ERJ Open Research, vol. 11, no. 5, 2025, p. 01285-2024.
  • University of São Paulo, Department of Physical Therapy.
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico.
  • Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo.