Pivotal Subjective Sleep Study of a Nasal Dilator
Pivotal Subjective Sleep Study of a Nasal Dilator
This randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled study assessed the effects of a novel nasal dilator strip in consumers with chronic nocturnal nasal congestion who have trouble with their sleep. Participants who met the entrance criteria were suffering from nasal congestion every night or almost every night, reported trouble with their sleep and had baseline nasal openness scores at bedtime during the qualification phase of ≤ 70 on a 100-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on at least four of seven qualification nights were randomized to one of two treatments for use at home. Participants returned to the study site after 7 and 14 days of nightly nasal strip use where they self-administered the validated subjective questionnaire "the Nocturnal Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (NRQLQ)".
The study had a screening phase, a one-week baseline qualification and a two-week treatment phase. Participants who met the entrance criteria, who were currently suffering from nasal congestion every night or almost every night, reported trouble with their sleep and had baseline nasal openness scores at bedtime during the qualification phase of ≤ 70 on a 100-point VAS on at least four of seven qualification nights were randomized to one of two treatments for use at home. During the two-week in-home treatment phase, daily diaries measuring the perception of nasal breathing and nasal congestion using a VAS were completed. Participants returned to the study site after 7 and 14 days of nightly nasal strip use, respectively. At the two return visits, a validated subjective questionnaire, the NRQLQ, measured response.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Allergy/Intolerance: Known or suspected intolerance or hypersensitivity to the study materials (or closely related compounds), allergy or atopic reaction to adhesive bandages or latex.
Participant has current or a history of skin cancer, chronic skin condition, or eczema on the face or nose.
Participant has visible open sores, sunburn, irritation on the face or nose immediately prior to randomization.
Participant has been diagnosed with sleep apnea in a sleep laboratory.
Participant has had a diagnosis of another major sleep disorder (i.e. primary insomnia, i.e. regularly sleeping less than six hours per night, sleep insufficiency, i.e. sleeping >two hours more on non-work days as compared to work days, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, or periodic limb movement disorder).
Participant has a non-typical sleep schedule (e.g. shift-work).
Participant plans travel involving time-zone changes during the study period.
Regular/habitual consumption of more than five cups or glasses per day of xanthine-containing beverages (i.e. tea, coffee, cola).
Participant currently uses any product or medication that has an effect on nasal congestion or sleep. Participant must have discontinued use of the following products according to the timings specified below:
a) Prior to initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Use of any substance with psychotropic effects or properties known to affect sleep/wake, including but not limited to: neuroleptics, morphine/opioid derivatives, sedative antihistamines, stimulants, antidepressants, clonidine, barbiturates, anxiolytics, thalidomide, hypnotics and sedatives. Use of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep promoting agents including diphenhydramine, doxylamine, tryptophan, valerian root, kava kava, melatonin, St John's Wort and Alluna. Use of OTC alertness aids including caffeine and guarana.
ii. Lubricating sprays/rinses/throat strips iii. Devices prescribed or used for sleep disordered breathing including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), mandibular advancement devices, tongue displacement devices iv. Use of any intranasally administered medications (e.g. Miacalcin) b) Within 3 days prior to the initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Oral decongestants ii. Short-acting prescription and non-prescription antihistamines, including ocular preparations and antihistamines contained in OTC sleep medications or 'night time' pain formulations (e.g. Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, Dimetane, Tavist) iii. Intranasal, oral or inhaled anticholinergics (e.g. Atrovent) iv. Long-acting beta agonists (e.g. Serevent) v. Oral antileukotrienes c) Within 7 days prior to the initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Any topical nasal decongestants (nasal sprays, drops, etc). ii. OTC products such as chin straps, pillows, internal/external nasal dilators.
d) Within 10 days prior to initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Long-acting antihistamines (e.g. Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, Zyrtec). e) Within 14 days prior to initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Intranasal cromolyn ii. Intranasal antihistamines (e.g. Astelin, Astepro) f) Within 4 weeks prior to the initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Intranasal corticosteroids g) Within 8 weeks prior to the initiation of the baseline qualification phase: i. Inhaled oral, intramuscular, intravenous, ocular and/or dermatological corticosteroid (with the exception of 1% or less topical hydrocortisone products) h) Within 3 months prior to the baseline qualification phase: i. Intranasal vaccines.