The Effect of an Adhesive External Nasal Dilator Strip on the Inspiratory Nasal Airflow

Abstract

We studied the affect of an adhesive external nasal dilator strip (ENDS) on the inspiratory nasal airflow. A prospective study was performed. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. All volunteers analyzed the inspiratory nasal sound samples before and while wearing a commercially available ENDS. This nasal sound analysis includes the spectral analysis and average sound intensities in low frequency (Lf), medium frequency (Mf), and high frequency (Hf). In the sound analyses, an increase was found in sound intensity at Hf when the nasal strips were not worn whereas a decrease was found in sound intensity at Hf when the nasal strips were on. Changes in the nasal geometry of the anterior part of the nose by wearing nasal strips affects the pattern of nasal airflow and transforms it into a laminar pattern.