Digital intervention for smell training: a real-world study on engagement, adherence, and behavioural dynamics

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Olfactory Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Many digital health interventions fail due to poor adoption and sustainability, not technical issues.
• Real-world user engagement is a critical, under-explored area, particularly in olfactory health.
• Understanding sustained use is key for digital health impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the real-world feasibility of a home-based Digital Smell Training (DST) system.
• To investigate how participants engage with and sustain the use of DST over time.
• To identify factors influencing long-term adoption of digital health tools.

Main Methods:

• A six-month feasibility study of a Digital Smell Training (DST) system (scent device + mobile app).
• 18 UK households participated, including individuals with and without olfactory disorders.
• Mixed methods approach used to capture adherence and user experiences.

Main Results:

• High adherence observed: 74% of 5,600 potential training sessions were completed.
• Participants trained twice daily, demonstrating consistent engagement.
• Qualitative data revealed dynamic user motivations influenced by progress, novelty, and evolving intervention relationships.

Conclusions:

• The study provides unique insights into real-world engagement with novel digital health tools.
• Findings emphasize the importance of behavioral understanding for sustained adoption.
• Design and engagement strategies are crucial for achieving real-world impact beyond the specific application.