Adapted retrograde rhinopharyngeal clearance versus high-volume nasal lavage and the impact on sleep in children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by nasal symptoms such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching and sneezing caused by inflammation and/or dysfunction of the nasal mucosa. Such symptoms affect the quality of life, impacting sleep, school performance and the emotional state of children and adolescents. Despite being an extremely relevant disease due to its negative impact on the lives of children and adolescents, an appropriate approach that can be carried out both preventively and curatively is essential. Objective: to compare the retrograde rhinopharyngeal clearance technique adapted with saline instillation and perinasal massage (RRC+I) in relation to high-volume nasal lavage in reducing nasal obstruction in 36 children and adolescents with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: an experimental, controlled and randomized study was carried out. Group 1: RRC+I and group 2: high-volume nasal lavage. The Nasal Obstruction Syndrome Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire was used to grade nasal obstruction before and the morning after the intervention. Results: there was a significant difference between pre and post-treatment in relation to the RRC+I group (Z=3.559; p<0.001) and high-volume nasal lavage (Z=3.833; p<0.001). In both groups, the distribution of NOSE scale scores in the post-treatment phase was significantly lower. Conclusion: both nasal washing techniques were effective in terms of nasal clearance in children and adolescents with AR. Keywords: Rhinitis; nasal obstruction; child; adolescents.