The study conducted by Alina Chervinskaya and presented at the European Respiratory Society’s 2009 Annual Congress investigates the efficacy of dry sodium chloride aerosol (DSCA) as a preventive treatment against acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 160 industrial workers were assigned to either a treatment group receiving dry salt inhalations or a control group. The treatment group, using a Haloneb Salt Inhaler, underwent inhalations twice a week over a period of three months. The results demonstrated that the treatment group had significantly fewer cases and days of ARVI, as well as reduced morbidity related to respiratory diseases, compared to the control group. This study shows that regular DSCA inhalations can effectively reduce the incidence of respiratory infections and improve overall respiratory health, especially in environments with exposure to industrial pollutants.
The benefits of dry salt therapy, also known as halotherapy, are supported by its anti-inflammatory and mucoregulating properties, which have been found to enhance respiratory function by improving bronchial drainage, stimulating alveolar macrophages, and boosting local immunity. The findings of this study suggest that DSCA could serve as a valuable preventive measure, particularly for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma. This method of salt therapy is promising not only for reducing the frequency of respiratory infections but also for decreasing associated disability and improving quality of life, especially during colder months when respiratory illnesses are more prevalent.
