title: A prospective, single-blind, randomised, crossover study comparing three nasal hygiene systems and corresponding patient preference for such devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess subjective preference using three nasal hygiene systems: Stérimar Original(®), Emcur(®) and Sinus Rinse™.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a prospective, single-blind, randomised, crossover study to compare three nasal hygiene systems: Stérimar Original, Emcur and Sinus Rinse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen adult volunteers were recruited and were asked to rate their experience over three days using three well-established nasal hygiene systems. A standard visual analogue scale was used to assess five criteria: (1) simplicity of instructions; (2) ease of use; (3) comfort; (4) perceived nasal clearance (effectiveness) and (5) single best overall system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stérimar Original was found to have the easiest instructions to understand compared to the other two systems. There was no significant difference between Stérimar Original and Sinus Rinse with regards to ease of use but they were both significantly easier to use than Emcur (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the three systems when comparing the last three criteria. There was no alteration in preference when the cost of each treatment was disclosed to the subjects, and no significant side effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The instructions accompanying Stérimar Original appeared to be the easiest to understand, while Stérimar Original and Sinus Rinse were easier to use than Emcur.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elmiyeh
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: V M N
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chatrath
authors.affiliation: Biostatic Department, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bassett
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quiney
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D055556:Nasal Lavage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride