Air Quality Monitoring in Severe Asthma - A Pilot Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Indoor Air Quality Monitoring in People Living with Severe Asthma - A Pilot Study
IRAS ID
366942
Contact name
Ben Ainsworth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 12 days
Research summary
Background: Poor air quality is known to exacerbate asthma symptoms, yet little is understood about how people with severe asthma perceive and engage with information about their home air environment. This pilot study explores how individuals with severe asthma interact with in-home air quality monitoring when no specific guidance or behavioural advice is provided.
Methods: Eight to ten adults with severe asthma will complete baseline questionnaires and have a thermal desorption (TD) sorbent tube installed in their home for two weeks. After 2 weeks, a Nooku air quality monitor will be installed for a further two-week period. Participants will receive no instructions on how to use or interpret the monitor data and will complete the Nooku daily diary during this phase. After device removal, participants will repeat the questionnaires. This sampling approach will assess acceptability of the devices and support analytical method development for future studies in which tailored advice may be provided based on identified pollution sources. Semi-structured interviews will then explore participants’ engagement with the monitor, perceptions of indoor air quality, and any spontaneous changes in behaviour or symptom management.
Planned Analysis: Narrative analysis will identify patterns of engagement, perceived usefulness of monitoring, and unprompted behavioural adaptations related to indoor air quality. Daily diary and monitor data will provide contextual support to interview findings.
Conclusions: This pilot study will provide preliminary evidence on the acceptability and perceived impact of passive indoor air quality monitoring in people with severe asthma, informing the design of future intervention studies.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
26/WS/0039
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion