Psychophysical Testing in Chemosensory Disorders.
Miriam Fahmy1,2, Katherine Whitcroft1,3,4,5
1ENT Department, Pinderfields Hospital, Mid Yorkshire Hospital NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK.
Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports
|September 19, 2022
Summary
Psychophysical testing is crucial for accurate smell and taste disorder assessment, as subjective reports often differ from objective findings. Validated tests aid clinicians in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring, with ongoing advancements improving patient identification.
Area of Science:
- Sensory science
- Clinical assessment
Background:
- Subjective patient reports on smell and taste function show poor correlation with objective measures.
- Psychophysical testing is essential for reliable chemosensory assessment in clinical and research settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review psychophysical testing methodologies for olfaction and gustation.
- To highlight the importance of objective assessment in diagnosing smell and taste disorders.
Main Methods:
- Overview of validated psychophysical tests for olfaction and gustation.
- Discussion of global adaptations and screening test developments.
- Consideration of advancements accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Results:
- Several validated psychophysical tests for smell and taste are available globally.
- Screening tests effectively differentiate individuals with and without olfactory dysfunction.
- Recent developments enhance self-assessment and screening capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians can utilize validated chemosensory tools for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring.
- Emerging self-assessment and screening tools pave the way for standardized pathways for patients with smell and taste disorders.
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