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Published on: November 4, 2010
Ionisers for chronic asthma
Karen Blackhall1, Sarah Appleton, Christopher J Cates
1Cochrane Injuries Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London. karen.blackhall@lshtm.ac.uk.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|September 14, 2012
Summary
Air ionizers show no significant benefit for reducing asthma symptoms or improving lung function in patients. Current evidence from randomized controlled trials does not support their use for managing chronic asthma.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Air ion content may influence respiratory function.
- Efficacy of air ionizers for asthma symptom reduction is inconclusive.
- Use of air ionizers as an asthma treatment is debatable.
Purpose of the Study:
- Systematically review evidence on air ionizer effectiveness for asthma.
- Determine the impact of positive and negative ion generators on asthma patients.
Main Methods:
- Searched Cochrane Airways Group, CENTRAL, and AMED databases (up to June 2012).
- Included randomized controlled trials (parallel or crossover) comparing ionizers with dummy devices.
- Assessed trial quality using Cochrane's allocation concealment and Jadad scale.
Main Results:
- Six crossover studies with 106 participants were included.
- Negative ion generators showed no significant difference in lung function (PEF, FEV1) or symptoms.
- Positive ion generators did not significantly alter FEV1, despite a trend towards reduced FEV1 with exercise.
Conclusions:
- Current randomized controlled trial evidence is insufficient to recommend room air ionizers for asthma symptom reduction.
- Further research is needed to establish the role of air ionizers in asthma management.
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