Red Light Improves Nasal Symptoms (study summary)

6650 nm wavelength (red) light has already been shown to treat nasal symptoms such as allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal obstruction reduction. It can also increase respiratory flow.

This study tests whether light therapy helps reduce nasal symptoms through thermal or through biochemical reactions.

Exposure red light at 660 nm will relieve allergic nasal symptoms through biochemical rather than thermal mechanisms.

Group one received red light nasal therapy and an antihistamine.

Group two received only the antihistamine.

Each subject had at least one of these symptoms:

• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• itchy nose
• sneezing
• clear rhinorrhea
• nasal congestion
• pale discoloration of nasal mucosa
• red, watery eyes

Researchers measured before and after red light exposure:

• self-reported symptoms
• active anterior rhinomanometry [technique to measure nasal air resistance]
• acoustic rhinometry [technique to measure nasal allergic response]

The first group received 40 mW per nostril for 15 minutes per nostril.

Researchered measured rhinitis symptoms after 30 minutes and again after 48 hours.

Thirty minutes after red light treatment all rhinitis symptoms improved. The symptomatic self-reporting went down, and objective scores showed nasal improvement.

• nasal resistance slightly decreased
• one of the volume measurements significantly increased
• one subject said his symptoms were cured
• 6 reported much improved
• 12 reported slightly improved
• 11 reported unchanged

Two days after red light treatment:

• 7 reported much improved
• 16 reported slightly improved
• 7 reported unchanged

“RLRPL did not objectively improve patient’s nasal patency”

I don’t think anything should be drawn from this study. Authors mix the meaning of the self-report scores.

They mixed the meaning of low self-reporting scores from the immediate test versus the 7 day test.

A low score indicated low intensity symptoms, but then it indicated high iteensity symptoms.

Participation in the 48 hour scoring was much lower than the immediate test results.