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Olfactory training is helpful in postinfectious olfactory loss: A randomized, controlled, multicenter study
Author(s) -
Damm Michael,
Pikart Louisa K.,
Reimann Heike,
Burkert Silke,
Göktas Önder,
Haxel Boris,
Frey Sabine,
Charalampakis Ioannis,
Beule Achim,
Renner Berthold,
Hummel Thomas,
Hüttenbrink KarlBernd
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24340
Subject(s) - medicine , olfactory system , crossover study , randomized controlled trial , regimen , olfaction , multicenter trial , multicenter study , audiology , pathology , neuroscience , psychology , psychiatry , alternative medicine , placebo
Objectives/Hypothesis The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of olfactory training (OT) on olfactory function in patients with persistent postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Study Design Randomized, single‐blind, controlled, multicenter crossover study. Methods Twelve tertiary university medical centers participated. Investigations were performed at three visits (baseline, after 18 weeks, and after 36 weeks), including only subjects with PIOD of <24‐months duration. At each visit, participants received detailed assessment of olfactory function. Seventy subjects trained with high concentrations of four odors for 18 weeks; the other half (n = 74) trained with low concentrations of odors. For the following 18 weeks this regimen was switched. Results After 18 weeks, olfactory function improved in the high‐training group in 18 of 70 participants (26%), whereas only 11/74 improved in the low‐training group (15%). In subjects with a duration of olfactory dysfunction of <12 months, olfactory function improved in 15/24 participants (63%) of the high‐training group and in 6/31 participants (19%) of the low‐training group ( P = .03). Conclusions OT improves PIOD, and the use of odors at higher concentrations is beneficial to improvement. OT is a safe procedure and appears to be particularly useful in patients who start OT within 12 months after the onset of the disorder. OT is the first successful therapy regime in patients with PIOD. Level of Evidence 1b. Laryngoscope , 124:826–831, 2014