Scents of Progress: Leveraging a Novel Device for Olfactory Training in Older Adults

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ScentCare, a novel olfactory training device and accompanying companion web-based application, will lead to improved olfactory and well-being outcomes in elderly patients with Olfactory Dysfunction (OD). The main question it aims to answer is:

\- What effect does the olfactory training device (ScentCare) and accompanying companion web-based application have on olfaction?

Researchers will compare ScentCare to solving Sudoku puzzles to see the effects of olfactory training using this novel device on olfaction. Previous studies have used Sudoku puzzles when studying the effect of smell training. Since smell training is thought to work by stimulating and engaging higher order cognition, Sudoku is a suitable activity for participants in the control group since it serves as a correlate with similar degree of stimulation.

Participants will:

* Use ScentCare (intervention) or solve Sudoku puzzles (control) twice daily for 3 months.
* Visit the clinic twice, once upon enrollment and once three months later.
* Complete a formal smell test using Sniffin' Sticks smell test at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the study (3 months) during the initial and follow up visit.
* Complete questionnaires at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the study (3 months) during the initial and follow up visit.

Conditions

• Olfactory Dysfunction
• Smell Loss
• Anosmia
• Hyposmia

Interventions

OTHER

Sudoku Puzzles

Sudoku puzzles of consistent and regular difficulty

OTHER

ScentCare (Olfactory Training Device)

ScentCare is a smell training device with eight encapsulated scents housed in separate compartments and is contained using a charcoal filter, which will be dispersed in the base of our device to prevent smell contamination in the user's environment. The outer casing contains an opening that can be manually rotated to line up with the casing on each scent. This is facilitated by a rod in the center of the device, which serves as the axis of rotation. By pressing the capsule, the desired scent is released through a hole in the casing, similar to the mechanism of a pen. The user presses the compartment back downwards into the casing when done. The ScentCare mobile application offers clear instructions for at-home smell training and testing, with features like scent randomization to prevent users from getting accustomed to a specific order. It provides detailed guidance on device use and allows users to schedule sessions and receive daily reminders, ensuring a structured training regimen.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Johns Hopkins University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Nicholas Rowan, M.D. · Johns Hopkins University, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-04-15

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-03-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations