Effects of the nasal strip and dilator on nasal breathing--a study with healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of the nose dilating devices on nasal anatomy and breathing in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS 27 healthy subjects were tested when using the Breathe Right nasal strip or the Nozovent dilator. Posterior rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and a subjective evaluation were used as methods. RESULTS Both devices significantly increased the minimum cross-sectional area of the nasal valve and decreased nasal resistance. The Nozovent dilator proved to be significantly more effective in reducing nasal resistance than the Breathe Right nasal strip. CONCLUSIONS Nose dilating devices, the Breathe Right nasal strip and the Nozovent dilator, can be used to reduce nasal resistance. More studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of the devices for patients with chronic obstruction for any reason in the valve area.