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Antiviral Nasal Sprays — Meta-Analysis

One forest plot per ingredient × outcome × effect measure with ≥2 trials. A pooled random-effects diamond (DerSimonian–Laird) is shown when 2+ trials report the same comparable estimate. A standardized (SMD) plot — combining continuous and binary outcomes onto one Cohen's-d scale — leads each ingredient×outcome group. (9 pooled.)

iota-carrageenan

Quality of lifeStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 2 trials · I² = 43.4%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous & odds ratio onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 2 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Eccles 20150.06 (-0.22–0.34)Eccles 20100.56 (-0.13–1.25)Pooled (random)0.21 (-0.24–0.66)-0.360.070.500.931.37no effect (difference = 0)

iota-carrageenan

Symptom severityStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 2 trials · I² = 73.5%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 2 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Unger-Manhart 2024-0.10 (-0.53–0.34)Eccles 20100.74 (0.02–1.46)Pooled (random)0.27 (-0.54–1.08)-0.70-0.120.461.041.62no effect (difference = 0)

iota-carrageenan

Symptom severityMean difference · 2 trials · I² = 64.3%
TrialMean difference (95% CI)Unger-Manhart 20240.02 (-0.19–0.24)Eccles 2015-0.61 (-1.32–0.10)Pooled (random)-0.20 (-0.79–0.39)-1.46-0.96-0.470.030.52no effect (difference = 0)

povidone-iodine

Viral loadStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 3 trials · I² = 46.9%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous & odds ratio onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 3 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Kamal 20221.23 (0.40–2.06)Zarabanda 20220.37 (-0.47–1.21)Alsaleh 2024-0.09 (-1.28–1.10)Pooled (random)0.58 (-0.16–1.32)-1.54-0.580.391.362.32no effect (difference = 0)

zanamivir

Influenza symptom durationMean difference · 3 trials · I² = 0%
TrialMean difference (95% CI)Matsumoto 1999-1.00 (-1.62–-0.38)Hayden 1997-1.00 (-1.80–-0.10)Monto 1999-1.00 (-2.00–0.00)Pooled (random)-1.00 (-1.45–-0.55)-2.16-1.58-1.00-0.420.16no effect (difference = 0)

azelastine

Viral loadStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 2 trials · I² = 0%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 2 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Meiser 20240.37 (0.12–0.62)Klussmann 20230.32 (-0.23–0.86)Pooled (random)0.36 (0.14–0.59)-0.310.000.320.630.94no effect (difference = 0)

interferon alpha-2b

Symptom durationStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 2 trials · I² = 52.4%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 2 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Kalyuzhin 20180.26 (-0.25–0.76)Turner 19860.81 (0.26–1.36)Pooled (random)0.52 (-0.02–1.07)-0.380.090.551.021.49no effect (difference = 0)

interferon beta serine

Symptom severityStandardized (SMD)Std. mean difference · 2 trials · I² = 42.9%

Standardized effect size (Cohen's d): combines continuous onto one scale via Hedges' g and Chinn's OR→SMD conversion (an approximation). Positive = favors treatment. 2 trials converted from binary.

TrialStd. mean difference (95% CI)Sperber 19890.21 (-0.02–0.44)Sperber 19880.80 (-0.05–1.65)Pooled (random)0.36 (-0.15–0.87)-0.290.230.751.281.80no effect (difference = 0)

nitric oxide (nons)

Viral loadMean difference · 2 trials · I² = 51%
TrialMean difference (95% CI)Tandon 2022-0.52 (-0.92–-0.12)Winchester 2021-1.21 (-2.07–-0.35)Pooled (random)-0.76 (-1.40–-0.11)-2.24-1.64-1.03-0.430.17no effect (difference = 0)