MIST+ - Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Project status: Active

Research area: Population Health > Population Allergy

MIST+ is a randomised controlled trial investigating whether a steroid nasal spray improves symptoms of snoring and sleep-disordered breathing in children.

These conditions can cause sleeping problems at night and concentration or behavioural issues during the day.

To help, MIST+ is investigating whether a nasal spray will improve symptoms in children aged 3-12, which may reduce the need for surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids.

These conditions can cause sleeping problems at night and concentration or behavioural issues during the day.

To help, MIST+ is investigating whether a nasal spray will improve symptoms in children aged 3-12, which may reduce the need for surgery to...

These conditions can cause sleeping problems at night and concentration or behavioural issues during the day.

To help, MIST+ is investigating whether a nasal spray will improve symptoms in children aged 3-12, which may reduce the need for surgery to remove the tonsils and adenoids.

Overview

Snoring and difficulty breathing affect up to 12 per cent of children. Often surgery is needed to remove the tonsils and/or adenoids in children who experience sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). In fact, tonsil removal is the most common paediatric elective surgery in Australia, with more than 40,000 performed each year.

This study is investigating whether saline, a salty water nasal spray, or a steroid nasal spray effectively treats symptoms of SDB. If successful, this may reduce the need for surgery.

Why is this research important?

Many hospitals experience long waiting lists for childhood surgery to remove the tonsils and/or adenoids, which leads to delays in treatment. The procedure can also be costly, painful and a significant burden on hospital resources.

Saline nasal spray is a saltwater spray used to relieve nasal congestion and clean the nasal passages. Steroid nasal spray is a type of anti-inflammatory medication used for conditions like hay fever. We are testing to see if these two treatments can reduce the size of the tonsils and adenoids to make breathing easier, improve SDB symptoms and reduce the need for surgery.

Information for participants

What's involved?

Your child using a nasal spray each day at home for six or 12 weeks
Attending two virtual telehealth appointments
Attending one face-to-face appointment at either The Royal Children’s Hospital or Monash Children’s Hospital
Completing three online questionnaires over 12 months about your child’s snoring and sleep symptoms, health, family and quality of life

Who can take part?

Children aged three to 12 years
Children currently on the waitlist to see a private or public specialist for symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring, possible obstructive sleep apnoea or with a request for a sleep study

Who can’t take part?

Children who have already had their tonsils and/or adenoids removed
Children with a significant medical condition
Children who use antihistamine or decongestant nasal sprays daily

If my child participates, will they still see their specialist?

Yes. Your child will remain on the waitlist for their hospital clinical appointment with their specialist. Taking part in the MIST+ Trial will not interfere with their existing treatment plan. However, it will be an opportunity to trial a nasal spray while you remain on the waitlist to see if it helps improve your child’s symptoms.