Localized aerosol hyperthermia in patients with nasal allergy

A double-blind study was performed to evaluate the efficacy, the safety and the usefulness of localized aerosol hyperthermia (LAH) in 57 patients with nasal allergy. We used two localized aerosol hyperthermia devices, the equipment (AH) with an insufflated aerosol of 43 degrees C and a placebo device (PH) with aerosol of 32 degrees C. In the evaluation of clinical efficacy, efficacy rates were 46.4% in AH and 3.7% in PH during 2 weeks, respectively, and 53.3% in AH and 7.7% in PH during 4 weeks, respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the two treatment groups. The usefulness rates were 63.3% in AH and 7.4% in PH for patients with nasal allergy, showing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). No patients dropped out of the study due to adverse effects. These results suggest that the LAH is a very useful instrument for the treatment of nasal allergy.