Long term effects of olfactory training in patients with post-infectious olfactory loss.
Τίτλος | Long term effects of olfactory training in patients with post-infectious olfactory loss. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Konstantinidis, I., Tsakiropoulou E., & Constantinidis J. |
Journal | Rhinology |
Volume | 54 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 170-5 |
Date Published | 2016 Jun |
ISSN | 0300-0729 |
Λέξεις κλειδιά | Adult, Aged, Aldehydes, Cyclohexanols, Discrimination (Psychology), Eugenol, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Monoterpenes, Odorants, Olfaction Disorders, Phenylethyl Alcohol, Recovery of Function, Respiratory Tract Infections, Sensory Thresholds |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: There is evidence of the effectiveness of repeated exposure to odours on short-term olfactory function. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of olfactory training.METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 111 patients with post-infectious olfactory dysfunction. Two groups of patients performed olfactory training for 16 and 56 weeks, respectively, and were compared with a control group. The training was performed twice daily using four odours (phenyl ethyl alcohol, eucalyptol, citronellal, eugenol). Olfactory testing was performed by means of the Sniffin Sticks test as a baseline assessment and then every 8 weeks for 56 weeks. Subjective ratings were performed using a visual analogue scale (0-100).RESULTS: Both training groups presented significantly higher scores than the controls. The long-term group had better results than the short-term group. Short-term training patients sustained their improvement within the follow-up period. Subsets analysis showed that training patients mainly increased identification and discrimination. Subjective ratings were in accordance with the olfactory test results.CONCLUSION: Long-term olfactory training seems to be associated with better results in patients with post-infectious olfactory loss than a short-term scheme. Short-term training provides sustainable results at 56 weeks follow-up assessment. |
DOI | 10.4193/Rhin15.264 |
Alternate Journal | Rhinology |
PubMed ID | 27017331 |