[Survey of sensory perception and patients' subjective assessment of the application of nasal sprays - the nasal-spray-sensoric-scale]

Abstract

Aim: The Nasal Spray Evaluation Questionnaire is a standardized means to evaluate hedonicity of nasal sprays in the English speaking countries. To date, there is no such questionnaire for German speaking patients. The here presented study aimed at evaluating the translated questionnaire. Three nasal sprays were tested and the questionnaire was used to estimate sensory hedonicity. Finally, the questionnaire was improved and can now serve as a standardized means to measure nasal sensory perceptions.

Material and methods: The questionnaire was literally translated from English to German. There were three groups of 60 patients each presenting with the sensation of a 'dry nose' to a secondary medical center with a board certified otolaryngologist. The ingredients of the three different nasal sprays varied only in one phytotherapeutic addition. The first evaluation of the nasal spray was conducted immediately after application of the nasal spray, and two minutes after application. A third and optional telephone survey was performed several days later after continuous use of the spray.

Results: The different evaluations of nasal sprays were already lined out after the first questionnaire. It could serve as a new, reliable and reproduceable tool for the evaluation of nasal sensory perceptions.

Discussion: The questionnaire served as an adequate tool to estimate hedonicity of nasal sprays. First results of the German version show, however, that it could facilitate the evaluation by restructuring the questionnaire. Continuously marking good grades with high points (maximum 100) and negative answers with low points (minimum 0 points) will unify and simplify the questionnaire.

Conclusion: The translation of the Nasal Spray Evaluation Questionnaire into a German version can serve as a new standard tool for measuring nasal sensation.