Can air cleaners help smokers with COPD breathe better?

NCT ID NCT03658538

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether using HEPA air cleaners at home along with phone-based motivational interviewing could improve breathing and quality of life in smokers with COPD. 144 current smokers with COPD were randomly assigned to receive either active air cleaners and counseling or sham air cleaners and standard smoking cessation counseling. The goal was to see if reducing indoor air pollution helps respiratory symptoms.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: HEPA air cleaner and motivational interviewing
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that improving indoor air quality helps smokers with COPD breathe easier and feel better.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed trial. Results may not apply to all COPD patients, and the intervention may not provide significant benefit over standard care.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, severe early onset

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COPD (CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus

Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States

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