Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Home-Based Aerobic Exercises on Some Psychological Indicators in Patients with Asthma

Abstract

Background and Objective: The aim of the present study was to meta-analyze the effect of home-based aerobic exercises on psychological indicators such as quality of life, motivational interviewing, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and asthma control in patients with asthma.
 
Methods and Materials: The research method was meta-analytic. The statistical population included all published internal and external resources in English from 2012 to 2021. The search results, based on keywords in databases, included 1848 cases, of which 87 were domestic studies and 1761 were foreign studies. After removing duplicate and unrelated studies, 11 studies were selected using a census method. Data collection was performed using a bibliographic and methodological characteristics checklist. Effect size calculation was conducted using Hedges' g index in both fixed and random effects models through CMA3 software.
 
Findings: Cochran's test and I2 squared results indicated heterogeneity in quality of life (p<0.05, Q=9.93, I2=79.86), motivational interviewing (p<0.05, Q=25.68, I2=64.95), and depression (p<0.05, Q=7.19, I2=58.28) and homogeneity in anxiety (p>0.05, Q=5.68, I2=47.22), fatigue (p>0.05, Q=1.97, I2=0), and asthma control (p>0.05, Q=0.15, I2=0). According to the results, the effect size of home-based aerobic exercises on improving quality of life was 0.935 and on motivational interviewing was 0.681, which, based on Cohen's classification, are considered large effect sizes. Additionally, the effect size of home-based aerobic exercises on improving anxiety was 0.316, depression 0.303, fatigue 0.426, and asthma control 0.275, which, according to Cohen's classification, are evaluated as moderate.
 
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the use of home-based aerobic exercises can be effective in improving psychological indicators, especially quality of life and motivational interviewing.