Bronchial Asthma
Conditions
Brief summary
Lung health is negatively affected during wildfire season by increased smoke pollution. Wearing N95 masks protects lung health in the short-term. The purpose of our study is to assess whether wearing of N95 facemasks on days with moderate to high air pollution in people who go outside to golf on a regular basis (two or more times per week) for two months during the wildfire season projects lung health.
Detailed description
Wildfire smoke negatively affects lung health. Across North American, millions of people are exposed to wildfire smoke most summers. The purpose of our study is to determine whether people who golf regularly (two or more times per week) can use N95 masks to protect their lungs from wildfire smoke. Forty regular golfers will be randomized to receive N95 masks or not to receive masks. All participants will be told to follow guidelines for outdoor activity based on Air Quality Health Index readings. Those randomized to wear N95 facemasks will be asked to wear these on days they golf where Air Quality Health Index indicates moderate risk or higher. The main outcome is compliance with wearing the N95 mask. Secondary outcomes include changes in lung function, blood pressure, and respiratory symptoms over two months.
Interventions
DEVICEN95 mask
N95 mask to be worn outside when golfing when Air Quality Health Index reading indicates moderate risk or higher
Sponsors
University of Saskatchewan
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants are blinded to the hypothesis of the study
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Golf on a regular basis (two or more times per week)
Exclusion criteria
* Smoker
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in compliance with wearing of N95 masks (number of times divided by days with moderate or higher air pollution) | 8 weeks | compliance with wearing the N95 masks |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in forced expiratory volume in one second (L) | 8 weeks | Force expiratory volume in one second measured with spirometry |
| Change in forced vital capacity (mL) | 8 weeks | Forced vital capacity measured by spirometry |
| Change in forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity (mL) | 8 weeks | forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity measured by spirometry |
| Change in respiratory symptoms (score out of 12) | 8 weeks | Respiratory symptoms determined by the Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire |
| Change in systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 8 weeks | Systolic blood pressure measured by an automatic sphygmomanometer |
| Change in diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 8 weeks | Diastolic blood pressure measured by an automatic sphygmomanometer |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
CONTACTPhilip Chilibeck, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPhilip Chilibeck, PhD
University of Saskatchewan
Outcome results
None listed