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How uncomfortable are the various positions recommended for the instillation of nose drops?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Haytham Kubba
Haytham Kubba*
Affiliation:
The Department of Otolaryngology, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland.
*
Address for correspondence: Mr H. Kubba, Specialist Registrar in Otolaryngology, Victoria Infirmary, Langside Road, Glasgow G42 9TY.
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Abstract

Nose drops are widely used in the topical treatment of nasal disorders. Their efficacy has previously been shown to depend on the position of the head adopted during instillation. All three of the commonly recommended head positions (head back, praying-to-Mecca, Mygind's) are uncomfortable, and this may affect patient compliance. As yet, no assessment has been made of the discomfort encountered by patients. Twenty adults from a general otolaryngology clinic were asked to adopt each of three positions and then rate the discomfort experienced on a 10 cm visual analogue scale. The results show that although Mygind's position is well tolerated, the praying-to-Mecca position was significantly more uncomfortable than any other. In the absence of any evidence that the praying-to-Mecca position is clinically more efficacious than Mygind's, it seems inappropriate to continue to advocate its use.

Keywords

RhinitisTreatment outcome
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 113 , Issue 4 , April 1999 , pp. 326 - 328
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

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References

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