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Latest Otorhinolaryngology research

The 10 most useful otorhinolaryngology studies published this week, chosen from Q1 journals and graded on the Oxford CEBM evidence hierarchy. Each paper links to a short summary and the original on PubMed. Updated 22 September 2026.

Top 10 this week

Week of 20 September 2026

  1. 1

    Prophylactic Home-Based Exercises During Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 13 September 2026

    In a randomized trial of 24 patients, those who performed a daily swallowing, posture and neck-movement routine maintained their Swallowing Quality of Life scores, while controls showed a marked decline, and they also kept neck tilt and full cervical range of motion. Facial edema did not increase, indicating the regimen is safe and supports early prehabilitation in radiotherapy patients.

  2. 2

    Nicergoline for Neuromuscular Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial

    Dysphagia · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

    In a 4-week double-blind trial of 44 patients with neuromuscular oropharyngeal dysphagia, nicergoline 30 mg daily reduced penetration-aspiration scale scores compared with placebo, indicating better airway protection during swallowing. Subjective and endoscopic swallow scores did not differ, so the benefit appears limited to reducing aspiration risk, warranting larger studies to confirm clinical impact.

  3. 3

    Efficacy and safety of seawater-based nasal irrigation on nasal congestion in infants and toddlers with common cold: a randomized controlled trial

    European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

    In a randomized trial of 220 infants and toddlers, adding a hypertonic seawater spray with copper and manganese to standard care increased recovery by day 10 to 75% compared with 58% on standard care alone, and eased congestion within minutes. The spray was safe, did not affect sleep or infection rates, and earned high caregiver approval.

  4. 4

    A randomized trial of nefopam for postoperative pain management in obstructive sleep apnea patients undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

    European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

    In a triple-blinded trial of 51 sleep-apnea patients undergoing UPPP, intravenous nefopam (20 mg loading then 80 mg/24 h) resulted in a median morphine consumption of 7 mg versus 5 mg with placebo, a difference that was not statistically significant. Pain scores, recovery milestones and satisfaction were unchanged, and mild side effects such as tachycardia occurred only in the nefopam group.

  5. 5

    Music-Supported Vocal Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease: Effects on Voice Intensity and Speech Performance

    Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

    Parkinson vocal rehab, neurology focus

  6. 6

    Effect of a 6-week multimodal physiotherapy programme versus occlusal splint therapy on pain, mouth opening and quality of life in adults with muscular Temporomandibular disorders: A non-randomised controlled clinical trial

    Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

    In a six-week non-randomised trial of 24 adults with muscular temporomandibular disorder, both multimodal physiotherapy and occlusal splint reduced pain, increased mouth opening and improved oral health-related quality of life. The physiotherapy group showed a greater increase in right masseter pressure pain threshold than the splint group, but the study is limited by its small size and short follow-up.

  7. 7

    Effect of occlusal reduction on post-endodontic pain in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial

    Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 12 September 2026

    Occlusal reduction reduces post‑endodontic pain in irreversible pulpitis

  8. 8

    Contingency Methods for Cleaning Single-Use Medical Equipment in Crisis, Disaster, or War

    Prehospital and disaster medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 14 September 2026

    In an exploratory trial of 90 single-use items, ten-minute immersion with peracetic acid, 70% ethanol or dish detergent cut bacterial counts and removed all detectable Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus from 47% of contaminated endotracheal tubes and laryngeal masks, without harming device function. While not a substitute for sterilization, these low-tech methods may be the only feasible rescue option when supplies run out in disasters or conflict.

  9. 9

    Growth factor enriched collagen matrix versus de-epithelialized graft in root coverage procedures - A randomized parallel arm clinical trial

    Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 September 2026

    In a single-blind trial of 45 patients with maxillary recession, a collagen matrix enriched with injectable platelet-rich fibrin achieved about 82% mean root coverage, statistically indistinguishable from the 90% seen with a de-epithelialized free gingival graft. Both techniques reduced recession depth similarly at 6 and 12 months, suggesting the matrix is a viable, less invasive alternative.

  10. 10

    Clinical and patient-reported outcomes of microneedling with ascorbic acid versus scalpel technique for gingival depigmentation: A randomized clinical trial

    Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research · Q2 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 2 September 2026

    In a randomized trial of 23 patients, the conventional scalpel method lowered clinical pigment scores more than microneedling plus topical ascorbic acid at one month and maintained lower scores through six months, while both approaches were well tolerated. Microneedling showed modestly higher discomfort early on but increased gingival thickness over time, leaving the optimal balance of efficacy and comfort unresolved.

Paper of the day, last two weeks

Evidence summaries in Otorhinolaryngology

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