Narrow-band red light phototherapy in perennial allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis are common nasal diseases, but the available treatment modalities have only limited success.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the therapeutic effect of low-energy narrow-band red light phototherapy on nasal clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis and nasal polyposis.

METHODS:

In a double-blind randomized prospective study, 50 patients with allergic rhinitis and 10 with nasal polyposis received intranasal illumination at 660 nm for 4.4 minutes three times a day for 14 days (total dose 6 joules per day). Twenty-nine rhinitic patients and one patient with polyposis received equivalent sham illumination as placebo. Evaluation was based on symptom scores and a clinical assessment that included pre-treatment and post-treatment videotaped rigid and flexible nasendoscopy.

RESULTS:

Following treatment, improvement of symptoms was reported by 72% of the allergic rhinitis patients and objective improvement was endoscopically demonstrated in 70% of them as compared with 24% and 3%, respectively, in the placebo group. These differences were significant. No improvement was obtained in any of the patients with polyposis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Allergic rhinitis, if uncomplicated by polyps or chronic sinusitis, can be effectively treated by narrow-band red light illumination of the nasal mucosa at 660 nm, with marked alleviation of clinical symptoms. Whenever possible, candidates for phototherapy should be selected by endoscopic examination.

• Authors: I Neuman, Y Finkelstein
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 78 Issue 4 Pg. 399-406 (Apr 1997) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9109708 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Asthma (therapy)
• Child
• Double-Blind Method
• Endoscopy (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nasal Obstruction (therapy)
• Nasal Polyps (therapy)
• Phototherapy
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial (therapy)
• Video Recording