Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Intranasal Administration of CNS Therapeutics to Awake Mice
Published on: April 8, 2013
Nasal irrigation for the alleviation of sinonasal symptoms
D G Heatley1, K E McConnell, T L Kille
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, WI 53792-7375, USA. heatley@surgery.wisc.edu
Objective:
To determine the effect of nasal irrigation on sinonasal symptoms.
Study Design And Setting:
A total of 150 adult subjects with chronic sinusitis symptoms were recruited from the community and assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: nasal irrigation with bulb syringe, nasal irrigation with nasal irrigation pot, or control treatment with reflexology massage. Groups 1 and 2 performed daily hypertonic saline irrigation with 1 device for 2 weeks and then with the other device for 2 weeks. Group 3 performed reflexology massage daily for 2 weeks. Prospective data collected included pretreatment Medical Outcomes Study Short Form, pretreatment and posttreatment Rhinosinusitis Outcomes Measure, daily medication use, subjective treatment efficacy, and preference of irrigation method.
Results:
There was a significant and equivalent improvement in Rhinosinusitis Outcomes Measure 31 score after 2 weeks of intervention in each treatment group; 35% of subjects reported decreased use of sinus medication.
Conclusion:
Daily nasal irrigation using either a bulb syringe, nasal irrigation pot, and daily reflexology massage were equally efficacious and resulted in improvement in the symptoms of chronic sinusitis in over 70% of subjects. Medication usage was decreased in approximately one third of participants regardless of intervention.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Nose and Nasal Cavity
Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...
Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula
Nasal Cannulas
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split into two prongs placed in the nostrils, connected...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required

