Opening the nasal valve with external dilators reduces congestive symptoms in normal subjects.
BACKGROUND
We examined whether the use of two different external nasal dilator devices influenced the size of the nasal valve area and symptoms of nasal congestion.


METHODS
This was a randomized blind-allocation, open three-way crossover study of Breathe Right, Side Strip Nasal Dilators, and placebo. We studied 12 healthy subjects (10 female, 2 male; age range 26-56 years). Measures of total volume and total minimum cross-sectional area were collected. Subjective symptoms were collected using a visual analog scale and an ordinal scale.


RESULTS
With both products, there was significant increase in the size of the minimum cross-sectional area compared to placebo, p = 0.004. This is supported by the decrease in the subjective reports of congestion; on the visual analog scale, compared to placebo p = 0.012 and the ordinal scale, compared to placebo, p = 0.004.


CONCLUSIONS
Both devices significantly increase the size of the nasal valve area and reduce congestion in normal subjects.
Latte
Jenny
J
Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Taverner
David
D
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004106:Dilatation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement