Feather versus non-feather bedding for asthma

Abstract

BackgroundTwo recent epidemiological studies have reported that children using non-feather pillows su ered from more frequent episodes of wheeze than those using feather pillows ObjectivesTo evaluate the e icacy of using feather bedding in the control of asthma symptoms. Search methodsThe Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register was searched with pre-specified terms. Seaches are current to February 2009. Selection criteriaOnly randomised or controlled clinical trials were to be included.

An integrative review of systematic reviews related to the management of breathlessness in respiratory illnesses

“…Selenium supplementation has shown positive results, but there is only one trial available in the literature that included a small sample of 24 patients [ 54 ]. The conclusions of two trials was that there was no current evidence of the effectiveness of the 'Alexander technique' for chronic asthma [ 55 ] or that feather bedding and pillows reduced asthma symptoms compared with man-made fibres [ 56 ].…”

An integrative review of systematic reviews related to the management of breathlessness in respiratory illnesses

“…Selenium supplementation has shown positive results, but there is only one trial available in the literature that included a small sample of 24 patients [ 54 ]. The conclusions of two trials was that there was no current evidence of the effectiveness of the 'Alexander technique' for chronic asthma [ 55 ] or that feather bedding and pillows reduced asthma symptoms compared with man-made fibres [ 56 ].…”

How is the indoor environment related to asthma?: literature review

“…(2000) established that feather‐filled pillows contained less allergenic material because they had very tightly woven encasements (ticks). Campbell et al. (2003) concluded that the available research on pillows is inadequate to assess possible clinical benefits for asthmatics.…”

A meta-analysis of baseline characteristics in trials on mite allergen avoidance in asthmatics: room for improvement

“…A positive example of the explicit (a priori) consideration of baseline characteristics was demonstrated in the Cochrane review on the treatment of asthma by sublingual immunotherapy [124 ]. In contrast, the current meta‐analyses on the treatment of asthma using avoidance were commonly characterized by no baseline characteristic reporting [7–11 ]. Gøtzsche and Johansen [7 ] stated that adjusting for baseline differences would risk biasing the review, “since investigators are inclined to show baseline differences and adjust for them when this procedure favours the experimental treatment”.…”

An integrative review of systematic reviews related to the management of breathlessness in respiratory illnesses

“…Selenium supplementation has shown positive results, but there is only one trial available in the literature that included a small sample of 24 patients [ 54 ]. The conclusions of two trials was that there was no current evidence of the effectiveness of the 'Alexander technique' for chronic asthma [ 55 ] or that feather bedding and pillows reduced asthma symptoms compared with man-made fibres [ 56 ].…”

How is the indoor environment related to asthma?: literature review

“…(2000) established that feather‐filled pillows contained less allergenic material because they had very tightly woven encasements (ticks). Campbell et al. (2003) concluded that the available research on pillows is inadequate to assess possible clinical benefits for asthmatics.…”

A meta-analysis of baseline characteristics in trials on mite allergen avoidance in asthmatics: room for improvement

“…A positive example of the explicit (a priori) consideration of baseline characteristics was demonstrated in the Cochrane review on the treatment of asthma by sublingual immunotherapy [124 ]. In contrast, the current meta‐analyses on the treatment of asthma using avoidance were commonly characterized by no baseline characteristic reporting [7–11 ]. Gøtzsche and Johansen [7 ] stated that adjusting for baseline differences would risk biasing the review, “since investigators are inclined to show baseline differences and adjust for them when this procedure favours the experimental treatment”.…”

An integrative review of systematic reviews related to the management of breathlessness in respiratory illnesses

“…Selenium supplementation has shown positive results, but there is only one trial available in the literature that included a small sample of 24 patients [ 54 ]. The conclusions of two trials was that there was no current evidence of the effectiveness of the 'Alexander technique' for chronic asthma [ 55 ] or that feather bedding and pillows reduced asthma symptoms compared with man-made fibres [ 56 ].…”

How is the indoor environment related to asthma?: literature review

“…(2000) established that feather‐filled pillows contained less allergenic material because they had very tightly woven encasements (ticks). Campbell et al. (2003) concluded that the available research on pillows is inadequate to assess possible clinical benefits for asthmatics.…”

A meta-analysis of baseline characteristics in trials on mite allergen avoidance in asthmatics: room for improvement

“…A positive example of the explicit (a priori) consideration of baseline characteristics was demonstrated in the Cochrane review on the treatment of asthma by sublingual immunotherapy [124 ]. In contrast, the current meta‐analyses on the treatment of asthma using avoidance were commonly characterized by no baseline characteristic reporting [7–11 ]. Gøtzsche and Johansen [7 ] stated that adjusting for baseline differences would risk biasing the review, “since investigators are inclined to show baseline differences and adjust for them when this procedure favours the experimental treatment”.…”