Effect of Surgical Masks in Preventing Acute Respiratory Infections
Enrolling by invitation · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs), Influenza, COVID - 19
In brief
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of surgical masks in preventing acute respiratory tract infections. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Does wearing a mask prevent you from getting acute respiratory tract infections, including influenza and COVID-19 Researchers will compare a surgical mask to no intervention to see if wearing a mask works to prevent acute respiratory infection. Participants will: * Wear or not wear a surgical mask every day * Answer a questionnaire every 2 weeks on symptoms, testing status, and behaviors This trial does not assess if wearing a mask prevents transmission of pathogens when you are already sick. Also, the trial does not assess whether universal masking (where everyone wears masks) works.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07739446
- Run by
- Chiba University
- People needed
- 2000
- Starts
- 2026-07-01
- Expected to finish
- 2027-03-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-08-03
Who can join
Age: 20 and older, up to 49. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Those who originally do not wear a mask during the influenza season
- Those aged 20 years or older and under 50 years at the time of providing informed consent
- If assigned to the mask group, those who can agree to wear a mask when going outdoors for 3 to 4 months during the influenza season (excluding times such as when eating)
- In the case of the non-mask group, those who can agree, in principle, not to wear a mask for 3 to 4 months during the influenza season
- Those who can agree to undergo testing for both influenza and COVID-19 on the day of onset or the following day if symptoms suggestive of influenza, COVID-19, or a common cold (such as fever or respiratory symptoms) develop, and to visit a medical institution at their own expense for medical fees
- Those who usually go out 3 or more days a week
- Those who have obtained the agreement of cohabiting family members regarding participation
- Those who, after receiving a thorough explanation regarding participation in this study and with full understanding, have provided written informed consent based on their own free will
You may not qualify if…
- Those who originally wear a mask during the influenza season and intend to continue doing so in the future
- Those who are engaged in healthcare, food manufacturing, etc., and wear a mask during regular work
- Those who are pregnant
- Those with underlying medical conditions such as chronic liver disease, cancer, or cardiovascular disease
- Those who have previously experienced allergic symptoms when wearing commercially available non-woven masks
- Those who are planning long-term overseas travel exceeding one week during the influenza season, including the New Year holidays‡
- Others who did not provide consent
Where it is running
- Chiba University/National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security — Chiba, Japan
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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