OT has been used most commonly for viral and traumatic OD in younger subjects with hopes of neural regeneration, improved olfactory function, and subjective well-being. This study’s objective was to investigate the impact of a novel form of OT using 12 odors in participants over 45 years of age with objective OD.

Twenty-nine participants underwent OT using 12 standardized odor pens for six months. Researchers assessed objective OT of Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification and patient-reported outcomes at baseline and after six months of OT.

Of the 29 participants who entered the protocol, only 16 subjects completed all six months of OT. Researchers saw significant improvements in overall Threshold Discrimination Identification, Discrimination, and Identification. Forty-four percent of patients who completed OT achieved a mean clinically significant difference of at least 5.5 points on TDI.

The study concluded that there was no significant change in patient-reported outcome measures. In this study, OT with 12 odors improves objective olfaction in nearly half of the older adults with OD. Further investigation is necessary to determine the impact of improved olfaction on overall health outcomes.

Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1945892419858793

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