Evaluation of a Novel Indoor Air Pollution Intervention Among Older Adults

Summary

Particulate matter air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor of cardiovascular disease and is increasing in the Western United States due to more frequent and severe wildfires. Older adults are particularly susceptible to both air pollution exposures and the development of cardiovascular disease, and the older adult population in the United States is rapidly growing. Given the converging threats of worsening air quality and an aging population, this clinical trial will evaluate a novel, multifaceted indoor air quality intervention to improve cardiovascular health outcomes among older adults in the wildfire-impacted state of Montana.

Conditions

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Blood Pressure
• Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
• Cholesterol
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Indoor Air Quality
• Particulate Matter
• Health Behavior

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Air Improvement and Real-time Monitoring for Wellness through Interactive Strategies and Education (AIRWISE)

The AIRWISE intervention consists of a 3-pronged approach grounded in the Health Belief Model (HBM) to improve residential indoor air quality through education, equipment, and behavioral cues. To reinforce cues to action, AIRWISE uses alerts from air quality sensors, prompting timely behavioral responses. Specifically, indoor and outdoor air quality alerts act as behavioral cues to promote active engagement and reference a decision matrix with specific recommendations based indoor and outdoor air quality. Recommendations on the decision matrix include simple strategies to reduce air pollution exposures, including increasing use and fan speed of portable air cleaners, opening or closing windows to change ventilation, and changing activities such as physical activity, cooking, and cleaning. This integrated approach promotes sustained behavior change by aligning with all key HBM constructs.

OTHER

Portable Air Cleaner (PAC) Control

Participants will use two PACs in their home according to manufacturer recommendations. PAC Control group participants will not receive further education on air quality or recommendations on PAC use, nor will they receive additional equipment or outdoor AQI alerts. Control participants will use and maintain the PACs at their own discretion.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Montana

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

55 Years

Max Age

79 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-31

Primary Completion

2030-07-31

Completion

2030-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations