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

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The primary objective is to determine whether continuous sensing, control and mitigation of home indoor air quality influences the frequency of asthma related symptoms, as measured by Serum IgE, Spirometry with exhaled Nitric Oxide, missed school and workdays, need for pharmacologic intervention (albuterol, oral steroids), frequency of sick visits to pulmonologist or primary care provider (PCP), urgent care / emergency department visits, and hospitalizations

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Indoor Air Quality Mitigation for asthma?

Research shows that improving indoor air quality by reducing allergens and pollutants can help manage asthma symptoms. Studies have found that interventions targeting indoor allergens, like those from pets and mold, can reduce asthma-related issues, especially in children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is improving indoor air quality safe for humans?

Research shows that indoor air pollutants from sources like gas stoves and tobacco smoke can worsen asthma symptoms, but there is no specific safety data on improving indoor air quality itself. However, reducing exposure to these pollutants is generally considered safe and beneficial for respiratory health. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How does the Indoor Air Quality Mitigation treatment for asthma differ from other treatments?

The Indoor Air Quality Mitigation treatment is unique because it focuses on improving the home environment by reducing indoor allergens and pollutants, such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander, which are known to trigger asthma. Unlike traditional asthma medications that manage symptoms, this treatment aims to address the root cause by enhancing air quality through interventions like air filtration, dehumidification, and HVAC maintenance. ^{1 5 10 11 12}

Research Team

Daniel Evans, MD

Principal Investigator

Dayton Children's Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

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

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Indoor Environmental Interventions for Furry Pet Allergens, Pest Allergens, and Mold: Looking to the Future. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How is the indoor environment related to asthma?: literature review. [2006]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Removing asthma triggers and improving children's health: The Asthma Partnership Demonstration project. [2017]

4. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Asthma symptoms in relation to measured building dampness in upper concrete floor construction, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in indoor air. [2013]

5. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Indoor Air Purifiers on Children with Asthma. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Indoor air pollution and asthma. Results from a panel study. [2018]

7. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Indoor exposure to environmental cigarette smoke, but not other inhaled particulates associates with respiratory symptoms and diminished lung function in adults. [2022]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating asthma hazard characterization methods for consumer products. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nitrogen dioxide exposure from domestic gas cooking and airway response in asthmatic women. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of air filtration systems on asthma: a systematic review of randomized trials. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-cost interventions improve indoor air quality and children's health. [2016]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Childhood asthma and indoor allergens: the classroom may be a culprit. [2017]