A Randomized Controlled Trial on Facial Muscle Therapy in Nasal Obstruction

Background: Muscular exercises of the lateral nasal wall have been described as a potential treatment of nasal valve obstruction. The objective of this study was to compare whether nasal exercises improve nasal obstruction, using a randomized controlled model. Methods: Participants were randomized into groups performing exercises targeting nasal (group A) or facial (group B) muscles. Nasal obstruction was measured using a validated standardized patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) questionnaire (Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey [SCHNOS]) at enrolment and at the end of the 8 weeks program. Results: Fifty-six patients completed the study. Upon completion of the programs, a three-point SCHNOC-C score improvement (95% [confidence interval, CI] = [-9 to 2]) was seen in Group A, whereas an eight-point score improvement (95% [CI] = [-15 to -0.4]) was observed in Group B. A seven-point SCHNOS-O score difference (95% [CI] = [-13 to -1]) was observed in Group A, whereas a difference of 15 points was seen in Group B (95% [CI] = [-22 to -8]). No significant difference was found between group A and B (p = 0.373 and p = 0.065, respectively). Conclusion: This randomized controlled trial suggested that nasal muscle exercises show no improvement on nasal obstruction.