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Does the external nasal dilator strip help in sports activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis

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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Numerous studies have shown that the external nasal dilator (END) increases the cross sectional area of the nasal valve, thereby reducing nasal resistance, transnasal inspiratory pressure, stabilizing the lateral nasal vestibule, and preventing its collapse during final inhalation.

Objectives

Our objective was to carry out a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis on the effects of the END during physical exercise.

Methods

After selecting articles in the PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases, 624 studies were identified. However, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were considered eligible for review.

Results

Those studies included in the meta-analysis, the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max.) outcome was assessed in 168 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.86 [− 0.43, 2.15], p = 0.19, and I2 = 0%. The heart rate (HR) outcome was assessed in 138 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) = 0.02 [− 3.19, 3.22], p = 0.99, and I2 = 0%. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) outcome was assessed in 92 participants in which no statistically significant difference was found, MD (95% CI) =  − 0.12 [− 0.52, 0.28], p = 0.56, and I2 = 27%.

Conclusions

The external nasal dilator strip showed no improvement in VO2max., HR and RPE outcomes in healthy individuals during exercise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais-Post Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Rua Sertões 100 – Ap 201 – Prado, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 30411-164, Brasil

    Ricardo Reis Dinardi, Carlos Henrique Santos Ferreira, Cássio da Cunha Ibiapina & Cláudia Ribeiro de Andrade

  2. Department of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais-Post Graduate Program in Orthodontics, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil

    Giordani Santos Silveira & Vânia Eloisa de Araújo Silva

Authors
  1. Ricardo Reis Dinardi
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  2. Carlos Henrique Santos Ferreira
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  3. Giordani Santos Silveira
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  4. Vânia Eloisa de Araújo Silva
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  5. Cássio da Cunha Ibiapina
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  6. Cláudia Ribeiro de Andrade
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by RRD, CHSF, GSS, VEAS, CCI and CRA. The first draft of the manuscript was written by RRD and CHSF and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ricardo Reis Dinardi.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Dinardi, R.R., Ferreira, C.H.S., Silveira, G.S. et al. Does the external nasal dilator strip help in sports activity? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 1307–1320 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06202-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-06202-5

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