Nasal airflow measures and peak inspiratory flow in mouth-breathing children before and after nasal cleansing and massage maneuvers

ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating the effects of nasal cleansing and massage maneuvers on upper airway patency in mouth-breathing children. This is a case report on eight children, aged 7 to 10 years, with a speech-language-hearing diagnosis of mouth breathing and otorhinolaryngological assessment and clinical diagnosis of rhinitis. Nasal airflow and patency were respectively assessed with the Glatzel mirror and Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF). Then, they were submitted to nasal cleansing and massage maneuvers with a saline solution, followed by reassessment with the Glatzel mirror and PNIF to compare results. The medians of total nasal airflow quantification were significant. Data on unilateral nasal cavity measurement indicated a sharp increase in nasal airflow in each nostril, with statistically significant differences between before and after nasal cleansing and massage maneuvers. The medians of the total PNIF were significant after the cleansing. It is concluded that the nasal airflow increased in PNIF after the cleansing maneuver.

摘要 本研究旨在探究鼻腔冲洗与按摩手法对口呼吸儿童上气道通畅性的影响。本研究为一项纳入8名7至10岁儿童的病例报告，这些儿童经言语-语言-听力评估确诊为口呼吸，并经耳鼻咽喉科检查临床诊断为鼻炎。研究分别采用格拉策尔镜（Glatzel mirror）与鼻腔吸气峰流量（Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow, PNIF）评估受试者的鼻腔气流与通畅性。随后对受试者实施生理盐水鼻腔冲洗与按摩操作，之后再次使用格拉策尔镜与PNIF进行复测以对比干预前后的结果。鼻腔总气流量化值的中位数差异具有统计学意义。单侧鼻腔测量数据显示，两侧鼻腔的气流均出现显著升高，且鼻腔冲洗与按摩手法干预前后的差异具有统计学意义。干预后鼻腔总吸气峰流量的中位数差异同样具有统计学意义。综上，经鼻腔冲洗与按摩手法干预后，通过PNIF检测的鼻腔气流水平有所提升。