Skip to main content
. 2022 Feb 15;77(7):1991–2024. doi: 10.1111/all.15242

TABLE 3.

(A) Outcomes after AACT (asthma control, asthma‐related quality of life). (B) Outcomes after AACT (FeNO, blood eosinophils). (C) Outcomes after AACT (medical consumption, exacerbation rate, OCS use). (D) Outcomes after AACT (lung function). (E) Outcomes after AACT (Upper airways symptoms). (F) Outcomes after AACT (exercise capacity)

Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Asthma characteristics Study measurements Outcome, observed change Outcome, observed change
A
van der Schoot TA et al (1993) Observational study N = 147 3 months Nonspecific chronic lung disease: asthma and COPD Baseline – end of AACT – 6 m FU – 12 m FU

Quality of life:

  • Degree of limitation in daily activities 6.1(1.9) to 4.8(2.3) to 5.4(2.6) to 5.5(2.4) (p < .05)
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68) Baseline – end of AACT ACQ: 3.0 (1.0) to 1.6 (1.2) (p < .001) AQLQ: 4.0 (0.9) to 5.6 (1.0) (p < .001)
Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69) ACQ: 3.3 (1.0) to 1.8 (1.0) (p < .001) AQLQ: 3.8 (0.9) to 5.3 (1.1) (p < .001)
Müller A et al (2018) Observational study N = 522

3 weeks

FU: 6 months

 Unknown End of AACT – monthly – 6 m FU ACT mean: 19.86 to 19.2 to 17.16 to 15.65 to 13.99 to 13.2 (p < .001)
Fieten KB et al (2019) Observational study N = 101

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Severe asthma Baseline – End of AACT – 12 m FU ACQ median (IQR): 3.0 (1.4) to 1.0 (1.5) to 2.3 (2.0) (12 months FU) (p < .000) AQLQ median (IQR): 4.0 (1.2) to 6.0 (1.1) to 5.0 (1.6) 12 months FU (p < .000)
Saxer S et al (2019) RCT

AACT (n = 25)

Control group at low altitude (n = 25)

3 weeks

FU: 3 months

 Adults with asthma (ACQ >0.75) Baseline – End of AACT – 3 m FU

ACQ median (quartiles):

  • AACT: 2.0 (1.6;3.0) to 0.9 (0.4;1.6) to 1.6 (0.9;3.0), mean difference (95% CI) −0.2 (−0.9 to 0.4) (p > .05)

  • Control group: 2.7 (1.7;3.2) to 0.8 (0.4;1.6) to 1.4 (0.9;2.1) mean difference (95% CI) −0.9 (−1.3 to −0.3) (p < .001)

Between group difference of change from baseline to 3 months median (95% CI) 0.4 (−0.4 to 1.1)

AQLQ median (quartiles):

  • AACT: 3.9 (3.1;4.6) to 5.6 (4.4;6.3) to 4.9 (3.5;6.2) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 3.6 (3.1;4.8) to 5.5 (4.4;6.4) to 5.1 (3.8;5.9) (p < .001)

Between group difference of change from baseline to 3 months median (95% CI) −0.5 (−1.6 to 0.3)
de Nijs SB et al (2020) Prospective comparative study

AACT (n = 93)

Control group at sea level (n = 45)

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Severe asthma Baseline – End of AACT – 12m FU

ACQ:

  • AACT: 3.1 (0.9) to 1.2 (1.0) to 2.2 (1.3) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 2.4 (0.9) to 1.8 (0.9) to 2.4 (1.0) (p = .63)

Between group difference at 12 months coefficient (SE) −0.87 (0.20) (p < .001)

AQLQ:

  • AACT: 3.9 (0.9) to 5.8 (0.9) to 4.9 (1.2) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 4.5 (0.9) to 5.3 (0.9) to 4.6 (1.0) (p = .77)

Between group difference at 12 months coefficient (SE) 0.82 (0.23) (p < .001)
Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Asthma characteristics Study measurements Outcome, observed change, and mean difference from baseline Outcome, observed change
B
Karagiannidis C et al (2006) Observational study N = 72 3 weeks Moderate allergic asthma Baseline – end of AACT

FeNO ppm (mean):

moderate allergic asthma: 56.95 to 27.29 (p < .01)

moderate intrinsic asthma: 38.16 to 25.99 (p < .05)

severe allergic asthma: 76.12 to 38.59 (p < .01)

severe intrinsic asthma: 113.8 to 60.41 (p < .01)
Moderate intrinsic asthma
Severe allergic asthma
Severe intrinsic asthma
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68) Baseline – end of AACT FeNO ppb median (range): 27.6 (5–209) to 18.4 (3–70) (p < .001) Blood eosinophils 109/L median (range): 235 (0–1050) to 210 (50–570) (p = .033)
Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69) Baseline – end of AACT FeNO ppb median (range): 16 (5–224) to 16 (1–61) (p = .058) Blood eosinophils 109/L median (range): 200 (0–880) to 200 (0–630) (p = .207)
Basler L et al (2020) RCT

AACT (n = 24)

Control group at low altitude (n = 25)

 3 weeks Adults with asthma (ACQ >0.75) Baseline – end of AACT

FeNO ppb AACT: 69 (56) to 37 (23), mean difference (95% CI) −31 (−50 to −13) (p < .01)

Control group: 48 (33) to 39 (25), mean difference (95% CI) −8 (−24 to 8) (p > .05)

Between group difference mean (95% CI) −31 (−50 to −13)

Blood eosinophils 109/L

AACT: 0.46 (0.26) to 0.31 (0.18), mean difference (95% CI) −0.17 (−0.26 to −0.08) (p < .01)

Control group: 0.43 (0.22) to 0.36 (0.24), mean difference (95% CI) −0.07 (−0.16 to 0.02) (p >.05)

Between group difference mean (95% CI) 0.10 (−0.02 to 0.22)
Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Study measurements Asthma characteristics Outcome, observed change Outcome, observed change
C
Hlinka V et al (1992) Observational study N = 1725 3 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Unknown

Reduction in asthma medication

  • Asthma medication can be stopped in 24% of asthmatic patients

  • Substantial reduction of inhalatory beta‐adrenergic substances
Speelberg B et al (1992) Observational study N = 34 3 months Baseline – end of AACT Asthma (n = 34) OCS use mg/day 2.9 (6.0) to 1.4 (1.4)
van der Schoot TA et al (1993) Observational study N = 147 3 months Year before ‐ year after AACT Nonspecific chronic lung disease: asthma and COPD

Medical consumption:

  • Health care visits (family physician 6.9 to 4.4, and lung physician 6.6 to 5.6)

  • Hospital admissions number (1.2 to 0.8) and duration (24 days to 15 days)
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68)

OCS maintenance (%)

43% to 22% (p < .001)
Baseline – end of AACT Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69)

OCS maintenance (%)

59% to 38% (p < .001)
Fieten KB et al (2019) Observational study N = 101

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Year before ‐ year after AACT Severe asthma

OCS maintenance (%)

33% to 34% (p = 1.0)

OCS use mg/day median (IQR): 2.9 (6.0) to 1.4 (1.4) (p = .684)

Exacerbation rate median (IQR)

3 (4) to 2 (3) (p = .000)

% of hospitalized patients 50% to 32% (p = .010)
de Nijs SB et al (2020) Prospective comparative study

AACT (n = 93)

Control group at sea level (n = 45)

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Baseline – end of AACT – 1 year FU Severe asthma

OCS maintenance (%)

AACT: 52% to 22% to 30% (p < .001)

  • Control group: 38% to 31% to 33% (p = .50)

OCS use mg/day

  • AACT: 17.9 (15.7) to 5.4 (7.1) to 7.5(10.1) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 12.4 (8) to 8.5 (5.4) to 12.7 (9.4) (p = .48)
Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Study measurements Asthma characteristics Outcome, observed change
D
Dubileĭ V et al (1973) Observational study N = 150 8 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Mild asthma (n = 45) FEV1/FVC: 71.9 (7.4) to 88.4 (2.7)
Moderate asthma (n = 35) FEV1/FVC: 68.7 (10.0) to 80.4 (3.3)
Severe asthma (n = 15) FEV1/FVC: 64.0 (5.3) to 71.4 (7.1)
Kolesár J et al (1977) Observational study N = 15 2 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Unknown FEV1%pred: 67.1 (6.6) to 69.9 (7.3)
Bobokhozhdaev O et al (1990) Observational study N = 44 4 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Atopic asthma (n = 20) FEV1/FVC: 54.3 (10.3) to 63.2 (17.4)
Non‐atopic asthma (n = 24) FEV1/FVC: 54.1 (10.3) to 75.1 (23.5)
Brimkulov N et al (1991) Observational study N = 132 4 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Mild asthma (n = 38) FEV1%pred: 74.9 (5.5) to 86.4 (7.4)
Moderate asthma (n = 94) FEV1%pred:64.5 (17.2) to 73.3 (18.0)
Speelberg B et al (1992) Observational study N = 34 3 months Baseline – end of AACT Asthma (n = 34)

FEV1%pred: 67 (18) to 66 (21) before salbutamol

FEV1%pred: 92 (21) to 95 (19) after salbutamol
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68) Post‐bronchodilator FEV1%pred: 88 (20) to 94 (20) (p = .001)
Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69) Post‐bronchodilator FEV1%pred: 86 (26) to 93 (23) (p = .004)
Müller A et al (2018) Observational study N = 522 3 weeks Baseline – end of AACT Unknown

FEV1%: 72.2 (23.6) to 78.3 (22.7) (p < .001)

FEV1 /VC: 88.6 (17.3) to 91.8 (15.1) (p < .001)
Saxer S et al (2019) RCT

AACT (n = 25)

Control group at low altitude (n = 25)

Treatment duration: 3 weeks

FU: 3 months

 Baseline – end of AACT – 3 m FU Adults with asthma (ACQ >0.75)

  • FEV1%pred median (quartiles)

    1. AACT: 64 (59;71) to 78 (67;83) to 72 (58;85) (p < .05)

    2. Control group: 61 (42;77) to 96 (54;80) to 71 (58;83) (p < .05)

  • FVC%pred median (quartiles)

    1. AACT: 82 (74;92) to 91 (83;98) to 84 (78;95) (p > .05)

    2. Control group: 83 (63;93) to 87 (79;96) to 87 (77;94) (p > .05)
de Nijs SB et al (2020) Prospective comparative study

AACT (n = 93)

Control group at sea level (n = 45)

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Baseline – end of AACT – 12m FU Severe asthma

FEV1% pred:

  • AACT: 86 (20) to 90 (20) to 89 (22) (p = .003)

  • Control group: 81 (26) to 81 (26) to 85 (26) after 12 months (p = .63)
Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Asthma characteristics Study measurements Outcome, observed change
E
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68) Baseline – end of AACT SNOT−20 score: 2.2 (0.8) to 1.5 (1.1) (p < .001)
Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69) SNOT‐20 score: 2.2 (0.8) to 1.6 (1.0) (p < .001)
de Nijs SB et al (2020) Prospective comparative study

AACT (n = 93)

Control group at sea level (n = 45)

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Severe asthma Baseline – end of AACT

SNOT‐22 score:

  • AACT: 2.3 (0.8) to 1.2 (0.9) to 1.9 (1.0) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 2.0 (0.7) to 2.0 (1.0) to 2.0 (1.0) (p = .87)
Reference Study design Study population (n) Treatment duration Asthma characteristics Study measurements Outcome, observed change
F
Bijl D et al (1994) Observational study N = 62 10 weeks Nonspecific chronic lung disease: asthma and COPD Baseline – end of AACT – 12 m FU

VO2max L/min

1.4 (0.4) to 1.9 (0.6) to 1.8 (0.6) (p < .001)
Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens, LH et al (2012) Observational study N = 137 12 weeks Severe refractory asthma, HDM sensitized (n = 68) Baseline – end of AACT 6MWD (meters): 516 (178) to 636 (219) (p < .001)
Severe refractory asthma, non‐HDM‐sensitized (n = 69) 6MWD (meters): 430 (182) to 575 (197) (p < .001)
Müller A et al (2018) Observational study N = 522 3 weeks Unknown Baseline – end of AACT 6MWD (meters): 379.8 (106.6) to 456.98 (111) (p < .001)
Saxer S et al (2019) RCT

AACT (n = 25)

Control group at low altitude (n = 25)

3 weeks

FU: 3 months

 Adults with asthma (ACQ >0.75) Baseline – end of AACT – 3 m FU

6MWD (meters)

AACT: 536 (491;571) to 571 (522;624) to 570 (517;607) (p < .01)

Control group: 490 (452;510) to 521 (493;549) to 504 (486;536) (p < .05)

Sit‐to‐stand repetitions

AACT: 25 (23–28) to 36 (30–40) to 30 (27–39) (p < .001)

Control group: 21 (19–24) to 24 (21–26) to 25 (22–28) (p < .01)
de Nijs SB et al (2020) Prospective comparative study

AACT (n = 93)

Control group at sea level (n = 45)

12 weeks

FU: 12 months

 Severe asthma Baseline – end of AACT – 12 m FU

ISWT (m):

  • AACT: 418 (224) to 575 (261) to 561 (263) (p < .001)

  • Control group: 492 (305) to 549 (324) to 539 (282) (p = .24)

Data are presented as mean (SD), unless otherwise stated.

Abbreviations: %pred, percentage predicted; 6MWD, 6‐min walking distance; ACQ, asthma control questionnaire; AQLQ, asthma‐related quality of life questionnaire; FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide; FEV1, forced expiratory volume during the first second; FU, follow‐up; FVC, forced vital capacity; HDM, house dust mite; ISWT, incremental shuttle walk test; OCS, oral corticosteroids; SNOT, sinonasal outcome test; VC, vital capacity; VO2max, maximal oxygen consumption.