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Indoor air modification interventions for prolonged non-specific cough in children
D Donnelly1, M M L Everard, A B Chang
1Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK. drdedonnelly@hotmail.com
Insights
Currently, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of air-modification devices, such as humidifiers or air filters, for treating non-specific cough in children. Further research is needed to determine their effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Environmental Health
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Non-specific cough, a common childhood ailment without a clear cause, is often treated with various non-pharmacological methods.
- Air-modification modalities, including ionizers, vaporizers, humidifiers, air filters, and vacuuming, represent a growing market of these treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of air-modification modalities in managing non-specific cough among children.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of major databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, OLDMEDLINE, EMBASE) was conducted up to November 2005.
- Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials comparing air-modification modalities against placebo for any duration.
Main Results:
- No randomized controlled trials were identified that met the inclusion criteria for evaluating air-modification modalities in children with prolonged, non-specific cough.
Conclusions:
- Due to the lack of available evidence, no recommendation can be made regarding the use of air-modification interventions for treating prolonged, non-specific cough in children.
Background:
Non-specific cough has been defined as non-productive cough in the absence of identifiable respiratory disease or known aetiology and is common in childhood. These children are treated with a variety of therapies, including non-pharmacological treatments. There is a wide variety and a growing market for these non-pharmacological treatments that include air-modification modalities.
Objectives:
To determine the efficacy of air-modification modalities, (ionisers, vaporisers, humidifiers, air filters, regular vacuuming), in treating children with non-specific cough.
Search Strategy:
The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, OLDMEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched by the Cochrane Airways Group. The latest searches were performed in November 2005.
Selection Criteria:
All randomised controlled trials comparing air-modification modalities with a placebo treatment, for any duration.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Results of searches were reviewed against pre-determined criteria for inclusion. Five papers were considered for inclusion but no eligible trials were identified and thus no data was available for analysis.
Main Results:
No randomised controlled trials that examined the efficacy of air-modification modalities in the management of prolonged, non-specific cough in children were found.
Authors' Conclusions:
Based on the evidence currently available, a recommendation can not be given for air-modification interventions in the treatment of prolonged, non-specific cough in children.
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