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

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To test the efficacy of steam inhalation in treating common cold symptoms.

DESIGN:

An in vitro study determined the temperature that inactivated rhinovirus: a temperature of 43 degrees C lasting at least 1 hour was needed. We then conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized in vivo study.

SETTING:

The virology laboratory and the outpatient department of the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Foundation.

PATIENTS:

Sixty-eight Cleveland Clinic employee volunteers with symptoms of the common cold at the time of enrollment.

INTERVENTION:

A single 60-minute treatment was given to the volunteers. The steam treatment group (n = 32) received 40 L/min of heated saturated air that raised the intranasal temperature to 43 degrees C. The placebo group (n = 36) received 2 L/min of ambient air at 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Subjective symptom scores for nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sneezing and objective measures of nasal resistance were studied during a 7-day follow-up observation period.

RESULTS:

There were no significant differences in daily symptom scores between the groups (P = .59 to .83). The only statistically significant differences between the groups were lower nasal resistances at baseline in the steam group (P = .04) and percent improvement in nasal resistance favoring the placebo group on day 7 (P = .01). However, these differences were of questionable clinical significance.

CONCLUSION:

We conclude that steam inhalation treatment had no beneficial effect on the cold symptoms of our volunteers.

• Authors: G J Forstall, M L Macknin, B R Yen-Lieberman, S V Medendrop
• Journal: JAMA (JAMA) Vol. 271 Issue 14 Pg. 1109-11 (Apr 13 1994) ISSN: 0098-7484 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8151854 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Steam

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Adult
• Airway Resistance
• Common Cold (physiopathology, therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Rhinovirus
• Steam
• Temperature
• Treatment Outcome