Dyson air purifier in asthma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of Dyson purifier in improving asthma control - a randomised, controlled trial.
IRAS ID
246440
Contact name
Syed Hasan Arshad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Isle of Wight NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Asthma is one of the commonest chronic diseases. It is characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs alongside a “twitchiness” of those airways that leads to symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness. While many new medications have been introduced to treat asthma in recent years, there remains a shortage of non-drug or environmental interventions that can improve asthma with minimal risk of adverse effects. In addition, in recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of people with asthma and other allergic diseases. The precise cause for this increase in asthma is not known but it has coincided with changes to the quality of indoor air with increase in the levels of allergens and pollutants.
The energy efficient houses of today with high indoor temperatures and humidity may, by a number of mechanisms, increase exposure to likely allergens. In addition to allergens, the indoor environment contains other biological materials and pollutants, which can adversely affect asthma control and symptoms. Maintaining high air quality with lower levels of allergens and pollutants could improve the health of individuals with asthma. Therefore, a feasible and practical intervention that can reduce allergen and pollutant levels in the indoor air should reduce asthma symptoms and improve control.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether using Dyson Air Purifiers in the homes of mild to moderate, persistent asthmatics gives a measureable reduction in airway “twitchiness” and an improvement in asthma control.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0277
Date of REC Opinion
19 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion