Richard E Frye1,2, Deborah F Rosin3, Adrian R Morrison4, Fidias E Leon-Sarmiento1,5, Richard L Doty1. 1. University of Pennsylvania, Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Little Rock, AR, USA. 3. John F. Kennedy Medical Center Section of ENT, Department of Surgery, Edison, NJ, USA. 4. University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Biology, Philadelphia, PA USA. 5. Unicolciencias/Universidad Nacional, Mediciencias Research Group, Bogota, Colombia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: : The nasal cycle, which is present in a significant number of people, is an ultradian side-to-side rhythm of nasal engorgement associated with cyclic autonomic activity. We studied the nasal cycle during REM/non-REM sleep stages and examined the potentially confounding influence of body position on lateralized nasal airflow. METHODS: : Left- and right-side nasal airflow was measured in six subjects during an eight-hour sleep period using nasal thermistors. Polysomnography was performed. Simultaneously, body positions were monitored using a video camera in conjunction with infrared lighting. RESULTS: : Significantly greater airflow occurred through the right nasal chamber (relative to the left) during periods of REM sleep than during periods of non-REM sleep (p<0.001). Both body position (p < 0.001) and sleep stage (p < 0.001) influenced nasal airflow lateralization. CONCLUSIONS: : This study demonstrates that the lateralization of nasal airflow and sleep stage are related. Some types of asymmetrical somatosensory stimulation can alter this relationship.
OBJECTIVE: : The nasal cycle, which is present in a significant number of people, is an ultradian side-to-side rhythm of nasal engorgement associated with cyclic autonomic activity. We studied the nasal cycle during REM/non-REM sleep stages and examined the potentially confounding influence of body position on lateralized nasal airflow. METHODS: : Left- and right-side nasal airflow was measured in six subjects during an eight-hour sleep period using nasal thermistors. Polysomnography was performed. Simultaneously, body positions were monitored using a video camera in conjunction with infrared lighting. RESULTS: : Significantly greater airflow occurred through the right nasal chamber (relative to the left) during periods of REM sleep than during periods of non-REM sleep (p<0.001). Both body position (p < 0.001) and sleep stage (p < 0.001) influenced nasal airflow lateralization. CONCLUSIONS: : This study demonstrates that the lateralization of nasal airflow and sleep stage are related. Some types of asymmetrical somatosensory stimulation can alter this relationship.