Table 1:
Baseline demographics
| Variables | Control | Intervention |
|---|---|---|
| N | 20 | 20 |
| Age, years | 12.5 (2.6) | 12.5 (2.9) |
| 8 – 12 | 10 (50%) | 10 (50%) |
| 13 – 17 | 10 (50%) | 10 (50%) |
| Sex, female | 10 (50%) | 10 (50%) |
| Race | ||
| Black | 9 (45%) | 6 (30%) |
| White | 8 (40%) | 10 (50%) |
| More than 1 | 3 (15%) | 4 (20%) |
| Asthma severitya | ||
| Mild | 4 (20%) | 5 (25%) |
| Moderate/Severe | 16 (80%) | 15 (75%) |
| Health insurance, Medicaid | 10 (50%) | 11 (55%) |
| Current second-hand tobacco smoke exposure, yes | 7 (35%) | 4 (20%) |
| Body mass index, z score | 1.51 (1.35) | 1.03 (1.22) |
| Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percent predictedb | 102.2 (14.1) | 97.3 (16.7) |
| FEV1/Forced vital capacity, percent predictedb | 94.6 (7.0) | 88.0 (9.0) |
| Severe asthma exacerbation in last 12 monthsc, yes | 11 (55%) | 13 (65%) |
| Asthma Control Test (n=13 per group) | 20.9 (4.6) | 21.2 (3.0) |
| Childhood Asthma Control Test (n=7 per group) | 22.6 (1.3) | 20.7 (8.3) |
| Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire | 5.96 (1.02) | 6.11 (0.84) |
| Checked Air Quality Index (AQI) prior to outdoor activity, yes | 2 (10%) | 2 (10%) |
| Reported any change in outdoor activity in response to AQI, yes | 5 (25%) | 3 (15%) |
| Moderate or vigorous outdoor physical activity in typical week, yes | 14 (70%) | 18 (90%) |
Notes: Results displayed as N (%) or mean (SD).
a
Severity was determined by therapy as per asthma action plan: step 2- mild, step 3 & 4- moderate, step 5 & 6- severe. Children receiving a biologic immunomodulator but no oral corticosteroids were categorized as step 5.
b
Spirometry percent predicted based on GLI2012 prediction equations.
c
Asthma exacerbation history obtained via parental-report, severe asthma exacerbation defined as reporting systemic steroids or an emergency department/urgent care visit or hospitalization for asthma.