Intranasal Reflex Therapy (INRT): A Method For Reducing Headache Symptoms In Chronic Sinusitis

Introduction:

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a disease of the upper respiratory tract which is difficult to treat, often insufficiently treated and can significantly restrict the quality of life (as for example cardiac insufficiency and COPD).

Intranasal-Reflex-Therapy (INRT) is a minimally invasive treatment in complementary medicine.

Three reflex zones are stimulated intranasally on both sides successively using cotton swabs dipped in nasal-reflex-oil (NRT-oil).

On the basis of the symptoms headache in resting head position and in bent down head position it was possible to significantly show the short-term effectiveness of INRT for chronic rhinosinusitis in the first randomized, prospective, clinical study in the Dominican Republic.

Methods:

Three-armed, monocentric intervention study with six treatments in two weeks.

(66 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, 18 male, 48 female, age 19 – 70 years).

Three intervention groups:

1. INRT with NRT-oil

2. INRT with Na-Cl

3. Na-Cl-Aerosol

Results:

The INRT with NRT-oil significantly reduced headache in resting head position (p = 0,039) and headache in bent down head position (p = 0,034).

Significantly reducing headache symptoms for chronic sinusitis by INRT brings about an improvement of life quality. Relating to this aspect, the study should be investigated with an increased cohort in Germany.

Conclusions:

Intranasal reflex therapy (INRT) with NRT-oil for the reduction of headache symptoms in resting head and bent down head position presents a simple and minimally invasive therapy option for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)