Asthma Vacuums, Mattress Ineffective - Study

Special cleaning and lifestyle equipment marketed at people with asthma are a waste of money, new research claims.

The study looked at the effectiveness of specialist equipment such as mattress protectors, vacuum cleaners on removing dust mites and preventing asthma attacks. It involved the review of 54 studies involving over 3,000 participants.

The researchers found that the products were largely ineffective overall. Although 17 of the trials showed a reduction in dust mites, it was not significant enough to help ward off asthma.

“We can conclude with confidence that there is no need to buy expensive vacuum cleaners or mattress covers or to use chemical methods against house dust mites because these treatments do not work,” said lead author, Dr Peter Gotzsche of the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen.

Dr Gotzsche explained that specialist asthma equipment does not have a large enough effect on dust mites to make any real difference to asthma sufferers.

“The level of allergens is so high in most homes that what remains after the treatment is still high enough to cause asthma attacks,” he said.

The review was published by The Cochrane Collaboration.

Posted Wednesday 23rd April 2008