HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Effect of inhaling heated vapor on symptoms of the common cold.

Abstract
A double-blind, randomized study tested the efficacy of steam (technically, heated, humidified air) inhalation in the treatment of common cold symptoms. Two 20-minute treatments spaced 60 to 90 minutes apart were given at the time of enrollment. The active device (Rhinotherm, Netzer-Sereni, Beer Yaacov, Israel) delivered 40 L/min of saturated air at 40 degrees C to 42 degrees C, while the identical-appearing placebo delivered 2 L/min of ambient air at 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C. There were 34 patients in the placebo group and 32 in the active group. Significant improvements in the placebo-treated group were obtained on subjective symptom scores for nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sneezing on isolated days during the treatment period (40%, vs 25% on day 3, 71% vs 60% on day 6, and 100% vs 67% on day 7). Improvement in nasal resistance as measured by rhinomanography was better in the placebo group than in the active group on day 7 (11% vs -6%). Our study demonstrated no beneficial effects of steam inhalation on common cold symptoms.
AuthorsM L Macknin, S Mathew, S V Medendorp
JournalJAMA (JAMA) 1990 Aug 22-29 Vol. 264 Issue 8 Pg. 989-91 ISSN: 0098-7484 [Print] United States
PMID2376891 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Airway Resistance
  • Common Cold (physiopathology, therapy)
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Hot Temperature (therapeutic use)
  • Humans
  • Humidity
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers
  • Random Allocation

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: