Indoor Air Quality Improvement for Asthma

(IAQ Trial)

Overseen By Amy Jones, MSN, RN

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dayton Children's Hospital

Disqualifiers: Age, Home instability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if improving home air quality can reduce asthma symptoms in children. Participants will either maintain their usual routine or have new devices installed, such as a smart thermostat and high-quality furnace filters, to enhance indoor air quality (referred to as Indoor Air Quality Mitigation). Children aged 5 to 15 with persistent asthma who live in homes with specific heating and ventilation features may qualify. The trial will assess how these changes impact missed school days, medication usage, and doctor visits. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how environmental changes can improve asthma management in children.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems you can continue with your asthma treatment plan as prescribed by your doctor.

What prior data suggests that indoor air quality mitigation is safe for asthma patients?

Research shows that improving indoor air quality can help reduce asthma symptoms. Studies have found that smart home devices, such as thermostats and bath fan switches, along with high-quality furnace filters, can enhance home air quality. This reduces pollutants that might worsen asthma.

Although specific safety data for these devices related to asthma is lacking, they are generally considered safe for home use. These smart devices and filters are commonly used to improve air quality without causing harm. Despite the absence of direct safety data, their general safety in homes suggests they are well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about indoor air quality mitigation for asthma because it tackles the condition from a unique angle. Unlike traditional treatments, which often focus on medication to manage symptoms, this approach aims to improve the air quality inside the home using a smart home thermostat, smart bath fan switch, and a high-quality furnace filter. By directly reducing indoor pollutants, this method could lessen asthma symptoms at their source, potentially offering a new way to manage the condition without solely relying on medication. Moreover, this strategy could provide sustainable benefits, leading to healthier living environments overall.

What evidence suggests that indoor air quality mitigation is effective for asthma?

Research shows that improving indoor air can help reduce asthma symptoms. In this trial, participants in the "Indoor Air Quality Mitigation" arm will use smart home devices and high-quality furnace filters to achieve cleaner air. Studies have found that these improvements can lower asthma-related issues, such as missing school or needing medical attention. The Breathe Easy project also found that better ventilation systems can enhance air quality and alleviate asthma. These findings suggest that cleaner home air can effectively manage asthma. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Daniel Evans, MD

Principal Investigator

Dayton Children's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 5-15.9 with mild to severe persistent asthma. They must live in a single-family home with internet, a compatible thermostat, and bathroom fan vented outdoors. Participants need to commit to the study's duration, attend visits, answer control questions, follow their asthma treatment plan, and use birth control if applicable.

Inclusion Criteria

My child, aged 5-15, has a diagnosis of persistent asthma.

Agree to respond to Asthma Control Test (ACT) and asthma control questions as outlined in protocol by telephone call, text, or email

Willing to comply with asthma treatment plan prescribed by physician

Exclusion Criteria

Not meeting the above inclusion criteria

I am either younger than 5 or older than 15 years old.

Inability to commit to being in the same home for the length of the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-mitigation

Information is collected about participants' health status, asthma symptoms, and indoor air quality. Air quality monitoring equipment is installed.

1 year

11 visits (in-person), 16 contacts (virtual)

Indoor Air Quality Mitigation

Mitigation strategies are employed using smart home devices and high-quality furnace filters. Continuous data collection on health status, asthma symptoms, and air quality.

1 year

5 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention period.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Indoor Air Quality Mitigation

Trial Overview The study tests whether improving indoor air quality can reduce asthma symptoms. It involves continuous monitoring of air quality and interventions like controlling ventilation using smart devices. The impact on symptom frequency will be measured through various health indicators and medical visit records.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Indoor Air Quality Mitigation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Indoor air quality mitigation strategies of a smart home thermostat, smart bath fan switch, and a high-quality furnace filter will be employed within the participants' homes. Information will continue to be collected about participants' health status and asthma symptoms as well as the air quality inside their homes.

Group II: Pre-mitigation Active Control 1 Intervention

Information will be collected from participants about their health status and asthma symptoms. Information about the air quality inside the participants' homes will also be collected.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dayton Children's Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

13

Recruited

5,029,000+

Emerson Climate Technologies

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

10+

Cairify LLC

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

10+

Copeland LP

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

10+

Citations

1. iit.edu iit.edu/news/home-ventilation-improves-indoor-air-quality-and-reduces-asthma-symptoms

Home Ventilation Improves Indoor Air Quality and Reduces ... The findings, published in the journal Building and Environment, showed that all systems led to measurable improvements in indoor air quality ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-asthma-5-2023-8760b

Indoor Air Quality Improvement for Asthma (IAQ Trial) Mitigation strategies are employed using smart home devices and high-quality furnace filters. Continuous data collection on health status, asthma symptoms, and ...

3. ichgcp.net ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT05843045

Indoor Air Quality Mitigation in Persistent Asthma - ICH GCP Indoor air quality mitigation strategies of a smart home thermostat, smart bath fan switch, and a high-quality furnace filter ... Asthma.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11134058/

Effectiveness of Asthma Home Management Manual and Low ... We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an asthma home management manual and low-cost air filter in improving resource-limited settings.

5. elevatenp.org elevatenp.org/health/breathe-easy-study-shows-ventilation-systems-improve-indoor-air-quality/

Breathe Easy Study Shows Ventilation Systems Improve ... The Breathe Easy project evaluated indoor air quality and asthma outcomes for different types of ventilation systems.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3165134/

Effectiveness of Air Filters and Air Cleaners in Allergic ... WHF with high-efficiency HVAC filtration is shown to be more effective in particulate reduction than individual HEPA PRACs. One study combining HVAC maintenance ...