Nasal sprays with exercise may reduce duration of respiratory infections: Lancet
A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that the recommendation to use nasal sprays at the first symptom of a respiratory tract infection had a significant impact on the duration of sickness and reduced work days missed, while the recommendation to utilize a physical activity and stress management website resulted in a mild reduction in the incidence of sickness.
Previous studies indicate that nasal sprays, exercise and stress reduction techniques may reduce the length of respiratory infections. Thereby, Paul Little and colleagues carried out this study to evaluate the impact of nasal sprays or a behavioral intervention encouraging physical activity and stress management on respiratory infections.
This randomized, open-label, controlled, parallel-group experiment was conducted at 332 primary care practices in the UK and involved eligible individuals who were above 18 years. The participants were randomly assigned to the standard treatment, gel-based spray, saline spray or a short behavioral intervention. The results were analyzed using monthly questionnaires and a 6-month survey which focused on the primary outcome of sickness caused by respiratory tract diseases. Potential hazards, such as headache or face discomfort, and antibiotic usage were investigated in all assigned at random patients.
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