RECRUITMENT IS NOW CLOSED
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN PART IN THE STUDY WE HAVE RECRUITED 406 PARTICIPANTS.
Most children have 6-12 colds every year. These can last up to 2 weeks and currently there is no cure. Some times what starts as a common cold could lead to severe illness such a bronchiolitis and pneumonia which result in visits to GP or hospital.
This study is looking at a low-cost treatment (salt-water nose drops) that adults can prepare and use on their child at home.
All families completing the study will receive a £30 voucher as thanks for taking part and travel expenses can be covered.
Can my child take part?
Children who are 6 years old or younger (i.e. before their seventh birthday) can take part. Families can join at any time and to take part during their child's next cold.
If your child has had the nasal flu vaccine in the last 2 weeks, your can join the study, but will be asked to wait until your child's next cold before you take part.
What do we have to do?
1. Contact us
Ring the nurse to let us know you want to take part.
2. Appointment with the Research Nurse
We will arrange an appointment with the research nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Tayside Children's Hospital, University Hospital Wishaw or University Hospital Crosshouse (which ever is local for you) or this can be done via telephone/ video call to receive information about the study. This should take around half an hour.
3. Collecting nose swabs
You will be asked to collect a nose swab for up to 5 days.
4. Completing study diaries
You will also be asked to keep an online daily diary until your child's cold is better. You will then complete one further questionnaire on that day. At the end of the study (4 weeks after the cold starts) you will receive a text message from the study team to find out if your child developed any wheeze following the cold.
5. Preparing and applying nose drops (Half the families only)
You will be provided with information and equipment so you know how to prepare and apply the nose drops. You will apply the drops at least 4 times a day (maximum of 12 times a day) until your child is better.
6. What are the possible disadvantages of taking part?
It is not thought that there are many disadvantages; however, it is possible that you may be inconvenienced by having to come to an appointment at the hospital, completing the study diaries and having to collect nose swabs. Your child may not like having nose swabs taken.
If you are one of the families using the nose drops, it may be inconvenient having to make and apply nose drops every day. Salt water sprays have been used safely in children before. Some children using them had a dry, itchy or burning feeling in the nose and some found it had a bitter taste. A small number of children had nose bleeds. Your child may not like having nose drops applied.
7. What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Your child may or may not get a direct benefit from this study. We hope to show, like the study in adults, that salt water nose drops help colds go away more quickly, stop colds from developing into more serious illnesses and make it less likely to spread to other family members. But we need to complete this study to see if this is true.
If you are interested in taking part - please go to the contact page to get in touch!
This study is looking at a low-cost treatment (salt-water nose drops) that adults can prepare and use on their child at home.
All families completing the study will receive a £30 voucher as thanks for taking part and travel expenses can be covered.
Can my child take part?
Children who are 6 years old or younger (i.e. before their seventh birthday) can take part. Families can join at any time and to take part during their child's next cold.
If your child has had the nasal flu vaccine in the last 2 weeks, your can join the study, but will be asked to wait until your child's next cold before you take part.
What do we have to do?
1. Contact us
Ring the nurse to let us know you want to take part.
2. Appointment with the Research Nurse
We will arrange an appointment with the research nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Tayside Children's Hospital, University Hospital Wishaw or University Hospital Crosshouse (which ever is local for you) or this can be done via telephone/ video call to receive information about the study. This should take around half an hour.
3. Collecting nose swabs
You will be asked to collect a nose swab for up to 5 days.
4. Completing study diaries
You will also be asked to keep an online daily diary until your child's cold is better. You will then complete one further questionnaire on that day. At the end of the study (4 weeks after the cold starts) you will receive a text message from the study team to find out if your child developed any wheeze following the cold.
5. Preparing and applying nose drops (Half the families only)
You will be provided with information and equipment so you know how to prepare and apply the nose drops. You will apply the drops at least 4 times a day (maximum of 12 times a day) until your child is better.
6. What are the possible disadvantages of taking part?
It is not thought that there are many disadvantages; however, it is possible that you may be inconvenienced by having to come to an appointment at the hospital, completing the study diaries and having to collect nose swabs. Your child may not like having nose swabs taken.
If you are one of the families using the nose drops, it may be inconvenient having to make and apply nose drops every day. Salt water sprays have been used safely in children before. Some children using them had a dry, itchy or burning feeling in the nose and some found it had a bitter taste. A small number of children had nose bleeds. Your child may not like having nose drops applied.
7. What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Your child may or may not get a direct benefit from this study. We hope to show, like the study in adults, that salt water nose drops help colds go away more quickly, stop colds from developing into more serious illnesses and make it less likely to spread to other family members. But we need to complete this study to see if this is true.
If you are interested in taking part - please go to the contact page to get in touch!
