Familiarity with Odors Does Not Play a Role in Olfactory Training Efficiency

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Olfactory training (OT) is a recognized intervention for olfactory disorders.
• The influence of odor familiarity on OT effectiveness remains an area for exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if odor familiarity impacts the efficacy of olfactory training.
• To compare the outcomes of OT using familiar versus unfamiliar odors.

Main Methods:

• Sixty participants with olfactory dysfunction were divided into three groups: original, familiar odor, and unfamiliar odor training.
• All groups underwent three months of olfactory training.
• Olfactory function was assessed using T&T olfactometry, intravenous olfactory (IVO) tests, and Open Essence (OE) tests before and after training.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in olfactory detection and recognition thresholds, as well as retronasal olfactory function across all training groups.
• No significant changes were noted in the odor identification (OE) test scores.
• No significant differences in improvement were found between the groups using original, familiar, or unfamiliar odors.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory training effectively enhances olfactory function, irrespective of the familiarity of the odors employed.
• Both familiar and unfamiliar odors demonstrate comparable benefits in olfactory training protocols.
• These findings highlight the general efficacy of OT as a therapeutic strategy for individuals with olfactory dysfunction.