Randomised controlled trial of rhinothermy for treatment of the common cold: a feasibility study

van de Hei, Susanne; McKinstry, Steven; Bardsley, George; Weatherall, Mark; Beasley, Richard; Fingleton, James

[26] The potential advantage of this device for rhinothermy is that it can deliver a 116 consistent temperature, humidity and flow rate direct into the upper airways. The study reported 117 here is a feasibility study of rhinothermy in the treatment of the common cold that will inform the 118 design of a robust RCT of this treatment. The specific aims of the feasibility study were to: 119 1. To estimate the proportions of potential participants after screening who undergo 120 randomisation, and who then complete the study, in turn providing an estimate of the time 121 and resources required to undertake an RCT. 122 2. To estimate the standard deviation (SD) of the proposed primary outcome variable for the 123 RCT, the modified Jackson score [27-29] so that the sample size for the RCT can be better 124 estimated. 125 3. To estimate the likely minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in modified Jackson 126 score among people with the common cold who are eligible to take part in the study. 127 Participants were eligible if they were between 16 and 75 years old, had common cold 144 symptoms for less than 48 hours at the time of randomisation and a modified Jackson score 145 ≥5.