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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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01-05-2019 | Anxiety | Rhinology

Nasal response to stress test in healthy subjects: an experimental pilot study

Authors: Heloïse De Kermadec, Emilie Bequignon, Francoise Zerah-Lancner, Antoine Garin, Marie Devars du Mayne, André Coste, Bruno Louis, Jean-François Papon

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 5/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Stress has been suspected to play a role in rhinitis. The role of stress on nasal patency has been not yet elucidated. The aim was to evaluate the potential effects of stress on nasal patency in healthy subjects.

Methods

We conducted a prospective pilot study including 12 healthy subjects. Experimental protocol was divided in three periods (pre-task, task and recovery). In the task period, subjects were exposed to the “Trier Social Stress Test” (TSST), a standardized laboratory stressor. Different parameters including Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (SSAI) score, visual analogic scale (VAS) of nasal patency feeling, heart rate, acoustic rhinometry measurements have been compared between the three different periods. The study population was divided into two groups according to the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) score: A “non anxious” group and a “weakly anxious” group.

Results

Seven subjects were in the “non anxious” group and five in the “weakly anxious” group. TSST significantly increased heart rate in all volunteers. SSAI score was significantly increased (p = 0.04) after the task period (36.6 ± 11.3) when compared to the SSAI score in pre-task period (31.9 ± 12.6). VAS score of nasal patency feeling significantly decreased from pre-task to task and recovery periods. Mean minimal cross-sectional areas and mean volumes of the nasal cavities were not significantly different between the three periods, except in “weakly anxious” group, but the small number of subjects does not allow to draw a definite conclusion.

Conclusion

We observed that stress influenced the feeling of nasal patency in healthy subjects. However, the objective effects of stress on nasal geometry were globally non-significant except in “weakly anxious” group. This latter result of our pilot study needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort.

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Title: Nasal response to stress test in healthy subjects: an experimental pilot study
Authors: Heloïse De Kermadec
Emilie Bequignon
Francoise Zerah-Lancner
Antoine Garin
Marie Devars du Mayne
André Coste
Bruno Louis
Jean-François Papon
Publication date: 01-05-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Anxiety
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 5/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05343-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Nasal response to stress test in healthy subjects: an experimental pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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