Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Oct;61(10):522-527. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2018.00465.

The Effect of Olfactory Training Using Korean Version Odorants: A Preliminary Study

• Kim BG
• Kim BY
• Shin JH
• Kim SW
• Kim SW

• KMID: 2436542
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2018.00465

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Several studies have reported the benefits of olfactory training (OT) for patients with olfactory dysfunction. However, training odorants should be customized according to the characteristics of individual patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of OT using odorants familiar to Korean patients with post-upper respiratory infection (URI) olfactory dysfunction.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We prospectively evaluated patients with post-URI olfactory loss. We carried out OT over a period of 6 months using four odorants: pine, cinnamon, lemon, and peppermint. Olfaction was tested before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after training initiation using the following olfactory tests; Butanol threshold test (BTT), Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CCSIT) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
RESULTS
Of the 88 patients who initially enrolled, 82 completed the BTT, CCSIT, VAS, NOSE, SNOT-20, and BDI. In total, 10 Korean patients were included in our analysis, nine of whom showed an improvement in olfaction after OT. All patients reported changes in olfaction and the perception of smells over the duration of OT. Some patients reported an increased sense of smell after OT, although he could not distinguish different smells.
CONCLUSION
OT using odorants specifically selected for Korean patients resulted in improved olfactory function, as indicated by the BTT and CCSIT scores. The findings of the present study suggest that customization of odorants to fit the characteristics of patients, including ethnicity, environment, and race, among others, increases the effectiveness of OT.

Keyword

Anosmia; Olfaction; Olfactory training; Regeneration; Smell

MeSH Terms

Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Continental Population Groups
Depression
Humans
Mentha piperita
Methods
Nasal Obstruction
Nose
Odors*
Olfaction Disorders
Prospective Studies
Regeneration
Smell
Symptom Assessment
Visual Analog Scale