About this Medicine article
A Randomized Trial of Dehumidification in the Control of House Dust Mite by Hyndman; Vickers; Htut; Maunder; Peock; Higenbottam is a Medicine article available to read on EtoBox.
## Background House dust mites (HDM) are sensitive to humidity. Few studies have adequately examined the potential of dehumidification in reducing HDM numbers. ## Objective The study examined the effect of portable domestic dehumidifiers, and a behavioural programme to reduce humidity, on HDM counts and HDM allergen levels. ## Methods A randomized controlled trial was undertaken. A total of 76 homes were allocated to three groups that received a portable domestic dehumidifier, a behavioural programme, or no intervention. Humidity, temperature, HDM counts (trap and vacuum samples), HDM allergen, and other details of the home environment were measured on four occasions over a period of 1 year. Interventions and measurements were concerned predominantly with one bedroom. ## Results There was a reduction in relative humidity in the dehumidifier group, but not the behavioural group. A decline in HDM trap counts was observed for all three groups. Change scores did not indicate that the dehumidifier group had a greater decline than the other groups. A secondary analysis examining presence or absence of HDM showed a shift from households having HDM at baseline to households not having HDM
It is typically read by researchers, students, and practitioners in Medicine.
- Author
- Hyndman; Vickers; Htut; Maunder; Peock; Higenbottam
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (Blackwell Publishing); Blackwell Publishing Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 0954-7894)
- Published
- 2000
- Language
- EN
- Field
- Medicine (Health Sciences)