Ventilation and Air Cleaner for Asthma

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Insung Kang, Ph.D.

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas at Arlington

Disqualifiers: Smokers in home

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how effectively energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) improve air quality and manage asthma symptoms in homes. Participants will receive either an active or placebo device for a year to determine which better reduces air pollutants and mold. Families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a member who has asthma and no smokers in the home may be suitable for this trial. The study will also assess the costs and benefits of these devices and their impact on asthma control, quality of life, and other health factors. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance asthma management and improve living conditions.

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's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these devices are safe for improving indoor air quality?

Research shows that energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are generally easy to use. Past studies found that ERVs improve asthma control test (ACT) scores by 8.4%, indicating they help with asthma symptoms without causing major side effects.

For portable air cleaners (PACs), studies have found a small but noticeable improvement in symptoms like sleep problems. One study showed that children using PACs had a 57% lower risk of poor asthma control. These results suggest that PACs are safe and can help manage asthma symptoms, with no major safety issues reported.

Overall, previous research has shown that both ERVs and PACs are safe and somewhat effective in improving asthma symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Portable Air Cleaners (PACs) for asthma management because these devices offer a different approach to reducing asthma triggers. Unlike standard asthma treatments that typically involve medication to control inflammation and relieve symptoms, these devices aim to improve indoor air quality by filtering and exchanging air, potentially reducing exposure to allergens and pollutants. The ERVs work uniquely by exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while retaining energy, which can help maintain a comfortable indoor environment without wasting heat or cooling. The PACs use advanced filtration to remove airborne particles, which could be particularly beneficial for individuals sensitive to dust and pollen. By using these innovative air management technologies, researchers hope to find a non-pharmaceutical way to help control asthma symptoms and improve overall respiratory health.

What evidence suggests that energy recovery ventilators and portable air cleaners are effective for improving asthma outcomes?

This trial will compare the effects of different ventilation and air cleaning systems on asthma. Participants in one arm will use an active energy recovery ventilator (ERV) for one year. Research has shown that ERVs can improve indoor air quality and reduce asthma symptoms, with one study showing an 8.4% improvement in asthma control test scores.

Another arm will involve participants using an active portable air cleaner (PAC) for one year. Studies have found that PACs can lead to some improvement in asthma symptoms. For instance, children using portable HEPA air cleaners experienced better asthma control over a year. While the improvements aren't large, PACs seem to help with asthma by reducing indoor air pollution. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Insung Kang, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas at Arlington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The AIRVAC study is for children and adults with asthma living in low-income households within the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Participants should have a confirmed diagnosis of asthma and be interested in how indoor air quality affects their condition.

Inclusion Criteria

Homeowners living in the DFW metropolitan area, TX

I have been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants living in homes with any smokers

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Baseline housing condition assessments and initial health assessments including lung function tests and surveys

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants receive either active or sham ERVs or PACs for 1 year

52 weeks

Monthly assessments (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Energy Recovery Ventilator
• Portable Air Cleaner

Trial Overview This trial tests if energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or portable air cleaners (PACs) can reduce indoor pollutants/mold and improve health outcomes for asthmatics over one year. It's a double-blind, placebo-controlled study where participants get either real or sham devices.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active PAC Active Control 1 Intervention

A group that will receive an active portable air cleaner for 1 year

Group II: Active ERV Active Control 1 Intervention

A group that will receive an active energy recovery ventilator for 1 year

Group III: Sham ERV Placebo Group 1 Intervention

A group that will receive a sham energy recovery ventilator (recirculation mode only) for 1 year

Group IV: Sham PAC Placebo Group 1 Intervention

A group that will receive a sham portable air cleaner (HEPA filter removed) for 1 year

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas at Arlington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

48

Recruited

7,300+

Rebuilding Together North Texas

Collaborator

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 ... Home Ventilation Improves Indoor Air Quality and Reduces Asthma Symptoms ... energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that continuously pushed air ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07196436

Asthma Intervention With Residential Ventilation and Air ... This study will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) in reducing indoor ...

3. chicagoasthma.org chicagoasthma.org/research/13545197

Effects of residential ventilation and filtration interventions ... The ERV group experienced the greatest improvement, with an 8.4 % increase in ACT scores (p < 0.001) and an increase in the proportion of ...

4. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/315080/asthma-intervention-with-residential-ventilation-and-air-cleaner-airvac-study/

Asthma Intervention With Residential Ventilation and Air ... This study will evaluate the long-term effectiveness of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and portable air cleaners (PACs) in reducing ...

5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224478/

IMPACT OF VENTILATION AND AIR CLEANING ON ASTHMA This chapter provides an overview of the relationship of building ventilation and particle air cleaning to exposures to indoor-generated pollutants that are ...

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/372855901_The_Breathe_Easy_Study_Air_Quality_Health_and_Energy_Impacts_of_Ventilation_Retrofits

The Breathe Easy Study: Air Quality, Health, and Energy ... This study provides the first known data in the U.S.. holistically on IAQ, asthma outcomes, and energy use associated with different types of.