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Kinetic Oscillation Stimulation an Effective, Lasting Second-Line Treatment for Patients with Nonallergic Rhinitis

by Linda Kossoff •

What are the long-term (one-year) results following one kinetic oscillation stimulation (KOS) treatment for nonallergic rhinitis (NAR)?

BOTTOM LINE

One KOS treatment appears to provide NAR patients with a subjective symptom improvement for at least one year.

BACKGROUND: KOS is a new treatment method for NAR during which a latex balloon connected to a catheter is inserted into the patient’s nasal cavity. The catheter is connected to a device that fills the balloon with air in pulses, mimicking naturally occurring air turbulence in the nasal cavity.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers recruited adult patients who were diagnosed with NAR between 2019 and 2021 and nonresponsive to a minimum two-month treatment with nasal corticosteroids to receive KOS. Of the 50 patients who received the treatment, 49 (61.2% female) completed the one-, three-, six-, and 12-month post-treatment follow-ups. The two primary outcome measures were patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) using Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22), Total Nasal Symptom Scores (TNSS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), general quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires, and patency measures. The secondary outcome measure consisted of complications and side effects. Following KOS treatment, all 49 patients had significant improvement in the SNOT-22, NOSE, and TNSS scores. At 12 months, SNOT-22 had improved from 44 to 34, NOSE from 60 to 45, TNSS from 8 to 7, and peak nasal inspiratory flow from 80 to 100 L/min. No major complications were observed. Authors cite KOS benefits including noninvasiveness, minimal risk, inconsequential side effects, and 20-minute treatment duration. Study limitations included the inclusion of patients who had undergone previous sinonasal surgeries.

CITATION: Sainio S, Blomgren K, Laulajainen- Hongisto A, et al. The effect of single kinetic oscillation stimulation treatment on nonallergic rhinitis. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2023;8:373-379.