Immersive Olfactory Training Shows Promise in Aiding Advancements of Olfactory Recovery Strategies 

by Linda Kossoff •

CLINICAL QUESTION

How does immersive olfactory training (IOT) compare with conventional olfactory training (COT) in effectiveness when treating patients with smell dysfunction?

BOTTOM LINE

Although IOT did not exhibit the same efficacy as COT in restoring olfactory function in patients, it demonstrated promising outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Conventional olfactory training is a three-month, at-home, non-pharmacological rehabilitation treatment for the management of olfactory dysfunction wherein patients are regularly exposed to four jarred odorants. In IOT, dozens of odors are delivered to multiple patients within a spacious chamber via an integrated, automated olfactometer over a shorter period.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study

SETTING: Smell and Taste Clinic Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany

SYNOPSIS: Researchers enrolled 60 patients (35 women, mean age 51.6 years) reporting olfactory dysfunction. Participants’ olfactory function, well-being, and cognitive function were assessed before and after training. Participants were divided into an IOT group (n = 25), a COT group (n = 17), and a control group (n = 18) that did not undergo any form of OT during the study period. The COT group performed a four-jar training regimen twice daily. The IOT group attended an immersive, odor-presenting theater once daily, six days per week, in which they were exposed to 64 odors in four blocks via an electronically controlled olfactometer. Follow-up was conducted no less than two months after the initial evaluation. Compared to the control group, IOT and COT groups demonstrated significant improvements in composite threshold–discrimination–identification scores. IOT was shown to be less effective than COT in overcoming olfactory dysfunction. Authors note that differences between the training circumstances may have affected adherence. Moreover, patients in the COT group started with lower baseline olfactory function, providing more room for improvement. Study limitations included a lack of diversity in age, dysfunction etiology, and/or baseline olfactory function.

CITATION: Chao Y-T, Aden F, Göktas Ö, et al. Can immersive olfactory training serve as an alternative treatment for patients with smell dysfunction? Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2024;9:e1270.