Abstract
Background: There are effective pharmaceutical agents to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, but more and more individuals resort to alternative forms of treatment. One possible alternative candidate is essential oils. Recently, an inhaler specifically designed to deliver essential oil scents has proven very effective in treating various medical parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol, blood oxygenation, or pain).
Objective: This work investigates whether an inhaler (AromaStick® ‘Nasal Fresh’) designed to clear the nasal passageway and reduce congestion has beneficial effects in individuals suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Methods: A two-armed, randomized, controlled, double-blind effectiveness trial involving individuals with medium to strong symptoms was conducted to investigate the inhaler’s specific treatment effects.
Results: Over a period of two weeks, the odor inhaler strongly reduced allergic symptoms for both overall AR symptomatology (d = 1.2) and individual symptomatic allergic rhinitis burden (d = 1.7).
Conclusion: The inhaler produced strong symptom relief. Effects were largest in individuals suffering primarily from nasal symptoms.
Keywords: AromaStick®, essential oil inhaler, effectiveness, seasonal allergic rhinitis, self-management, symptoms.
Graphical Abstract
[1]
Pawankar, R.; Canonica, G.W.; Holgate, S.T.; Lockey, R.F.; Blaiss, M.S. The WAO White Book on Allergy Available from:, http://www. worldallergy. org/UserFiles/file/WAO-White-Book-on-Allergy_web.pdf (Accessed February 2, 2017).
[2]
Pawanka, R. Allergic diseases and asthma: A global public health concern and a call to action. World Allergy Organ. J., 2014, 7, 12.
[3]
Bergmann, K-C.; Heinrich, J.; Niemann, H. Aktueller Stand zur Verbreitung von Allergien in Deutschland. Positionspapier der Kommission Umweltmedizin am Robert Koch-Institut (Current status of the prevalence of allergens in Germany. Position paper of the Robert Koch Institute’s commission for environmental medicine). Allergo J. Int., 2016, 25, 22-26.
[4]
Carr, W.W. Yawn, B.P. Management of allergic rhinitis in the era of effective over the-counter treatments. Postgrad. Med. J., 2017, 1-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2017.1333384]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2017.1333384]
[5]
Brozek, J.L.; Bousquet, J.; Agache, I.; Agarwal, A.; Bachert, C.B.; Bosnic-Anticevich, S.; Brignardello-Petersen, R.; Canonica, G.W.; Casale, T.; Chavannes, N.H.; de Sousa, J.C.; Cruz, A.A.; Cuello-Garcia, C.A.; Demoly, P.; Dykewicz, M.; Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta, I.; Florez, I.D.; Fokkens, W.; Fonseca, P.W.; Hellings, P.W.; Klimek, L.; Kowalski, L.; Kuna, P.; Laisaar, K.-T.; Larenas-Linnemann, D. E.; Lødrup Carlsen, K.C.; Manning, P.; Meltzer, E.; Mullol, J.; Muraro, A.; Samolinski, B.; Schmid-Grendelmeier, P.; Sheikh, A.; Togias, A.; Valero, A.; Valiusis, A.; Valovirta, E.; Ventresca, M.; Wallace, D.; Waserman, S.; Wickman, M.; Wiercioch, M.; Yepes-Nuñez, J.J.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, Y.; Zidarn, M.; Zuberbier, T.; Schünemann, H.J. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma
(ARIA) guidelines - 2016 Revision. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol,, 2017, S0091-6749(17), 30919-30913.
[6]
Dhami, S.; Nurmatov, U.; Arasi, S.; Khan, T.; Asaria, M.; Zaman, H.; Agarwal, A.; Netuveli, G.; Roberts, G.; Pfaar, O.; Muraro, A.; Ansotegui, I.J.; Calderon, M.; Cingi, C.; Durham, S.; van Wijk, R.G.; Halken, S.; Hamelmann, E.; Hellings, P.; Jacobsen, L.; Knol, E.; Larenas-Linnemann, D.; Lins, D.; Maggina, P.; Mösgens, R.; Oude Elberbrink, H.; Pajno, G.; Panwankar, R.; Pastorello, E.; Penagos, M.; Pitsios, C.; Rotiroti, G.; Timmermans, F.; Tsilochristou, O.; Varga, E.M.; Schmidt-Weber, C.; Wilkinson, J.; Williams, A.; Worms, M.; Zhang, L.; Sheikh, A. Allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Allergy, 2017.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/all.13201]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/all.13201]
[7]
Xiao, J.; Wu, W.X.; Ye, Y.Y.; Lin, W.J.; Wang, L. A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials focusing on different allergic rhinitis medications. Am. J. Ther., 2016, 23, e1568-e1578.
[8]
Cingi, C.; Muluk, N.B.; Hanci, D.; Ulusoy, S.; Sahin, F. Updating the role played by immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: Meta-analysis. Int. Forum Allergy Rhinol., 2015, 5, 132-142.
[9]
Kristiansen, M.; Dhami, S.; Netuveli, G.; Halken, S.; Muraro, A.; Roberts, G.; Larena-Linnemann, D.; Caldéron, M.A.; Penagos, M.; Du Toit, G.; Ansotegui, I.J.; Kleine-Tebbe, J.; Lau, S.; Matricardi, M.A.; Pajno, G.; Papdopoulos, N.G.; Pfaar, O.; Ryan, D.; Santos, A.F.; Timmernmanns, F.; Wahn, U.; Sheikh, A. Allergen immunotherapy for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr. Allergy Immunol., 2017, 28, 18-29.
[10]
Hadley, J.A.; Derebery, J.M.; Marple, B.F. Comorbidities and allergic rhinitis: Not just a runny nose. J. Fam. Pract., 2012, 61, S11-S15.
[11]
Wallace, D.V.; Dykewicz, M.S. Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A focused systematic review and practice parameter update. Curr. Opin. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 2017, 17, 286-294.
[12]
Meggs, W.J. The toxicant induction of irritant asthma, rhinitis, and related conditions; Springer: New York, 2013.
[14]
Banerjee, K.; Mathie, R.T.; Costelloe, C.; Howick, J. Homeopathy for allergic rhinitis. J. Altern. Complement. Med., 2017, 23, 426-444.
[15]
Wang, S.; Tang, Q.; Qian, W.; Fan, Y. Meta-analysis of clinical trials on traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis. Allergy, 2012, 67, 583-592.
[16]
Berardino, F.; Zeanetti, D.; D’Amato, G. Nasal rinsing with an atomized spray improves mucociliary clearance and clinical symptoms during peak grass pollen season. Am. J. Rhinol. Allergy, 2017, 26, 40-43.
[17]
Edris, A.E. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic potentials of essential oils and their individual volatile constituents: A review. Phytother. Res., 2007, 21, 308-323.
[19]
Tisserand, R.; Young, R. Essential oil safety: A guide for health care professionals; Churchill Livingston: London, 2014.
[20]
Angelucci, F.L.; Silva, V.V.; Dal Pizzol, C.; Spir, L.G.; Praes, C.E.; Maibach, H. Physiological effect of olfactory stimuli inhalation in humans: An overview. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci., 2014, 36, 117-123.
[21]
Schneider, R. From pain to pleasure: A newly developed essential oil inhaler (AromaStick®) alters pain dynamics and increases well-being. Results from two randomized, controlled documentation studies. Curr. Psychopharmacol., 2017, 6, 136-147.
[22]
Schneider, R. Direct application of specially formulated scent compositions (AromaStick®) prolongs attention and enhances visual scanning speed. Appl. Cogn. Psychol., 2016, 30, 650-654.
[23]
Schneider, R. There is something in the air: Testing the efficacy of a new olfactory stress relief method (AromaStick®). Stress Health, 2016, 32, 411-426.
[24]
Schneider, R. A breath of fresh air: Blood oxygen saturation is strongly increased upon the use of an essential oil inhaler (AromaStick®). Results from a prospective, controlled, measurement repeated experimental study involving healthy individuals. Curr. Respir. Med. Rev., 2017, 13, 213-220.
[25]
Brochot, A.; Guilbot, A.; Haddioui, L.; Roques, C. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects of three essential oil blends. MicrobiologyOpen, 2017.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.459]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.459]
[26]
Hans, V.M.; Grover, H.S.; Deswal, H.; Agarwal, P. Antimicrobial efficacy of various essential oils at varying concentrations against periopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. J. Clin. Diagn. Res., 2016, 10, ZC16-ZC19.
[27]
Zhou, L.J.; Li, F.R.; Huang, L.J.; Yang, Z.R.; Yuan, S.; Bai, L.H. Antifungal activity of eucalyptus oil against rice blast fungi and the possible mechanism of gene expression pattern. Molecules, 2016, 21, E621.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules21050621]
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules21050621]
[28]
Caceres, A.I.; Liu, B.; Jabba, S.V.; Achanta, S.; Morris, J.B.; Jordt, S.E. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily m member 8 channels mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of eucalyptol. Br. J. Pharmacol., 2017, 174, 867-879.
[29]
Schönknecht, K.; Krauss, H.; Jambor, J.; Fal, A.M. Treatment of cough in respiratory tract infections - the effect of combining the natural active compounds with thymol. Wiad. Lek., 2016, 69, 791-798.
[30]
Divband, K.; Shokr, H.; Khosravi, A.R. Down-regulatory effect of Thymus vulgaris L. on growth and Tri4 gene expression in Fusarium oxysporum strains. Microb. Pathog., 2017, 104, 1-5.
[31]
Jaradat, N.; Adwan, L.; K’aibni, S.; Shraim, N.; Zaid, A.N. Chemical composition, anthelmintic, antibacterial and antioxidant effects of Thymus bovei essential oil. BMC Complement. Altern. Med., 2016, 26, 418.
[32]
Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K.; Graham, J.E.; Malarkey, W.B.; Porter, K.; Lemeshow, S.; Glaser, R. Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2009, 33, 328-339.
[33]
Kenia, P.; Hoghton, T.; Beardsmore, C. Does inhaling menthol affect nasal patency or cough? Pediatr. Pulmonol., 2008, 43, 532-537.
[34]
Ahijevich, K.; Garrett, B.E. Menthol pharmacology and its potential impact on cigarette smoking behavior. Nicotine Tob. Res., 2004, 6, 17-28.
[35]
Takano, Y.; Takeda, M.; Hinode, Y. Biological activities of components of essential oils to alveolar epithelial cells. Eur. Respir. J., 2013, 42, 3133.
[36]
Singer, J.; Schneider, R. Smart Scents. A guide to effective aromatherapy; Stuttgart Ebozon, 2014.
[37]
Schneider, R.; Kuhl, J. Placebo forte. Ways to maximize unspecific treatment effects. Med. Hypotheses, 2012, 78, 744-751.
[38]
Singer, J. Composition for use in an inhalation device and inhalation device useful thereof. US Patent US2016/0279358 A1.
[39]
Hunter, J.E.; Schmidt, F. Methods of Meta-Analysis: Correcting Error and Bias in Research Findings; Sage: London, 2004.
[40]
Lambdin, C. Significance tests as sorcery: Science is empirical - significance tests are not. Theory Psychol., 2012, 22, 67-90.
[41]
Branch, M. Malignant side effects of null-hypothesis significance testing. Theory Psychol., 2014, 24, 256-277.
[42]
Ioannidis, J.P.A. Why most published research findings are false., PLoS Med., 2005, 2, 0696-0701.
[43]
Lykken, D.T. Statistical significance in psychological research. Psychol. Bull., 1968, 70, 151-159.
[44]
Bakan, D. The test of significance in psychological research. Psychol. Bull., 1966, 66, 423-437.
[45]
Armstrong, J.S. Statistical significance tests are unnecessary even when properly done and properly interpreted: Reply to commentaries. Int. J. Forecast., 2007, 23, 335-336.
[46]
Hubbard, R.; Armstrong, J.S. Why we don’t really know what statistical significance means: Implications for educators. J.M. E, 2006, 28, 114-120.
[47]
Thompson, B. Statistical significance tests, effect size reporting and the vain pursuit of pseudo-objectivity. Theory Psychol., 1999, 9, 191-196.
[48]
Schmidt, F.; Hunter, J.E. In: Eight common but false objections to the discontinuation of significance testing in the analysis of research data; Harlow, L.L.; Mulaik, S.A.; Steiger, J.H., Eds.; Erlbaum: New York, 1997, pp. 37-64.
[50]
Hubbard, R. Alphabet soup: Blurring the distinctions between p’s and α’s in psychological research. Theory Psychol., 2004, 14, 295-327.
[51]
Haller, S.; Krauss, S. Misinterpretations of significance: A problem students share with their teachers? Method Psychol., 2002, 7, 1-20.
Related Books
Advances in Organic Synthesis
The Synthetic Methods, Structures, and Properties of the Ca-C σ Bond Organocalcium Containing Compounds
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Chemistry of Bipyrazoles: Synthesis and Applications
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advanced Nanocatalysis for Organic Synthesis and Electroanalysis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Advances in Organic Synthesis
Article Metrics
25
1