Effects of pulsed ultrasound on olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis: A pilot study. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakhostin-Ansari, Amin; Nazem, Atieh; Nakhostin Ansari, Noureddin; Fathali, Mojtaba; Naghdi, Soofia; Hasson, Scott
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 44(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Chronic rhinosinusitis -- Olfactory dysfunction -- Physiotherapy -- Pulsed ultrasound; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background: and purpose. Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of therapeutic pulsed ultrasound (PUS) on olfactory dysfunction in patients with CRS. Materials and methods: Patients with CRS underwent treatment with PUS for 10 sessions, three days a week. The outcome measures were the Smell Identification Test (SIT) and 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20). Results: Fifteen patients (9 male, mean age 48.9 ± 9.7 years) with disease duration of 55.13 ± 65.4 months participated. Analyses showed olfactory dysfunction was completely resolved (Cohen's d = 5.62). The SNOT-20 scores showed significant improvement of CRS symptoms after treatment (Cohen's d = 1.55). Effects remained at one-month follow-up. Conclusion: Therapeutic PUS improved the olfactory dysfunction and sino-nasal symptoms in patients with CRS. The PUS can be considered as a promising strategy to target chronic rhinosinusitis. Highlights: Therapeutic pulsed ultrasound resolved the olfactory dysfunction. Therapeutic pulsed ultrasound significantly improved the sino-nasal symptoms. Therapeutic pulsed ultrasound had 1-month benefits.