Variation In Facial Morphology As A Determinant Of Face Covering Performance: FACEFIT (FACEFIT)

February 27, 2024 updated by: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
This study examines the role of variations in the dimensions of facial features on the fitted filtering efficiency of face coverings available to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 100 young (18-55 years old) healthy participants will be recruited. Exclusionary criteria include pregnancy and breastfeeding. After informed consent, participants will enter a chamber where they will undergo 3D facial scanning using a dedicated camera system and be trained to don an N95 respirator properly. The fitted filtering efficiency (FFE) of 4 types of face coverings: a N95 respirator, a KN95 respirator (with and without a clip), a surgical mask (with and without a clip), and a KF94 respirator (with and without a clip) will be tested on each participant using the OSHA quantitative fit testing protocol for filtering face pieces.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Consenting: The investigators will review the inclusion and exclusion criteria and any medical conditions that the participant may have or medications that they are currently taking. The investigators will go over the study protocol in detail so that the participant will know what to expect during the study procedure.

Lung Function Test: The participant will perform a breathing test (peak flow meter) before and after the facemask testing. This test measures the volume of air that the participant can blow out (exhale) quickly after taking a very deep breath. This is a method for measuring lung function and it must meet certain criteria prior to testing.

3D Facial Measurement and Imaging: The participants 3D facial features will be measured by facial calipers. Trained personnel (wearing gloves) will need to touch areas of the participants face and scalp to ensure proper caliper measurements are collected. A 3D picture of the participants face will be taken using a special 3D camera.

Video Instruction on Wearing an N-95 Respirator: The participant will watch a short video showing proper ways to wear an N-95 respirator.

Assessment of the Performance of Face Coverings: The participant will enter a study chamber where tiny sodium chloride (table salt) particles are emitted by a particle generator. The participant will be fit tested wearing different types of face coverings that include an N95-rated respirator, a KN95 mask (with and without clip), a surgical mask (with and without clip), and a KF94 respirator (with and without clip). During the test, the participant will be asked to perform a few tasks such as bending over, talking, etc. 3D images of the participants head, while wearing the masks, will be taken following each test.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27514
        • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Human Studies Facility

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 55 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy male and female subjects

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18-55 years old healthy male and female (BMI values between 19 and 33, inclusive).
  • Participants must be ambulatory and tolerate enclosed spaces.
  • Participants must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination status based on the current recommendations established by the CDC.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals with following conditions:

    • A history of acute or chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, rheumatologic disease, neuromuscular disease, or immunodeficiency state.
    • Blood pressure readings equal to and greater than 140 systolic and equal to and greater than 90 diastolic.
    • Diabetes.
    • Asthma or a history of asthma.
  • Individuals who have unspecified illnesses, which in the judgment of the medical staff might increase the risk associated with saline aerosol inhalation will be a basis for exclusion.
  • Medications not specifically mentioned here may be reviewed by the medical staff prior to an individual's inclusion in the study. Use of other medications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is the potential that an individual's current medication use will preclude them from participating in the study at the current time, but they may be reassessed and potentially rescheduled for participation later based on the judgement of the medical staff.
  • Individuals who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Individuals who are currently smoking (including vaping, hookah and e-cigarette) or have smoking history within 1 year of study or have a greater than/equal to a 5-pack year smoking history.
  • Individuals living with a smoker who smokes inside the house.
  • Individuals who are regularly exposed to high levels of vapors, dust, gases, or fumes.
  • Individuals who do not read, speak, or understand English well enough to give informed consent.
  • Individuals who are unwilling to shave facial hair.
  • Individuals who have orthopedic or balance issues that prevent them from performing the steps in the mask fit testing protocol, such as bending over, turning head left and right or up and down.
  • Individuals who recently had abdominal and/or eye surgery, or with any types of hernia, as well as any other contraindications for raised intra-abdominal pressure in the last 6 months.

Temporary exclusion criteria:

  • Individuals who have experienced any symptoms associated with acute respiratory illness within 4 weeks of enrollment.
  • Individuals who have active allergies.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
FACEFIT
Participants will enter a chamber where they will undergo 3D facial scanning using a dedicated camera system and be trained to don a N95 respirator properly. The fitted filtering efficiency (FFE) of 4 types of face coverings: a N95 respirator, a KN95 respirator (with and without a clip), a surgical mask (with and without a clip), and a KF94 respirator (with and without a clip) will be tested using the OSHA quantitative fit testing protocol for filtering face pieces. Participants will measure their peak expiratory flow pre and post mask fit testing using a disposable peak flow meter.
Other: N95
3M N95 Respirator
Other: KN95
KN95 Mask (with and without clip)
Other: KF94
KF94 Mask (with and without clip)
Other: Surgical
Surgical Mask (with and without clip)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fitted Filtration Efficiency (FFE)
Time Frame: Approximately 5 minutes after each mask condition
A mask fit procedure will be performed based on a NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) - approved protocol during the baseline visit. The efficiency of masks will be determined by a percentage of particle number measured behind the facemask over the particle number in the ambient air. Mask fit efficiency values from different levels of mask fit instructions will be compared.
Approximately 5 minutes after each mask condition
Craniofacial Morphology
Time Frame: Approximately 5 minutes before mask donning
Calipers will be used to measure 3D facial features of each subject. Trained personnel (wearing gloves) will need to touch areas of the subject's face and scalp to ensure proper caliper measurements are collected.
Approximately 5 minutes before mask donning

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
3D Facial Imaging
Time Frame: Approximately 5 minutes before mask donning and during mask donning
Subjects will self-administer a 3D scan of their face by aligning their head inside of an oval shown on the camera screen, triggering the camera shutter. The image takes about 3 seconds to generate and subjects will be asked to remain still during this time. The acquired facial images will be analyzed using digital image analysis software.
Approximately 5 minutes before mask donning and during mask donning

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: James Samet, PhD, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 30, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 18, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 18, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 24, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 29, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 27, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 20-2612

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Deidentified individual data will be shared through the U.S. EPA's ScienceHub database. ScienceHub is used to upload and store datasets associated with journal articles. Non-sensitive datasets are then made publicly accessible via the Environmental Dataset Gateway in fulfillment of the EPA's requirement to adhere to the Office of Management and Budget's Open Data Policy.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

The data will be available to the public after the conclusion of the study and the publication of the manuscripts.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Data will be available at the U.S. EPA Science Hub.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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