Scents of Progress: Leveraging a Novel Device for Olfactory Training in Older Adults

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Olfactory Dysfunction, Smell Loss, Anosmia, Hyposmia

In brief

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ScentCare, a novel olfactory training device and accompanying companion web-based application, will lead to improved olfactory and well-being outcomes in elderly patients with Olfactory Dysfunction (OD). The main question it aims to answer is: \- What effect does the olfactory training device (ScentCare) and accompanying companion web-based application have on olfaction? Researchers will compare ScentCare to solving Sudoku puzzles to see the effects of olfactory training using this novel device on olfaction. Previous studies have used Sudoku puzzles when studying the effect of smell training. Since smell training is thought to work by stimulating and engaging higher order cognition, Sudoku is a suitable activity for participants in the control group since it serves as a correlate with similar degree of stimulation. Participants will: * Use ScentCare (intervention) or solve Sudoku puzzles (control) twice daily for 3 months. * Visit the clinic twice, once upon enrollment and once three months later. * Complete a formal smell test using Sniffin' Sticks smell test at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the study (3 months) during the initial and follow up visit. * Complete questionnaires at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the study (3 months) during the initial and follow up visit.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06733636

Run by

Johns Hopkins University

People needed

60

Starts

2025-04-15

Expected to finish

2027-03-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-13

Who can join

Age: 60 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults 60 years of age or older.
• English-speaking patients.
• Patients with a diminished or lost sense of smell.
• Patients who have not done smell training before

You may not qualify if…

• Patients who are sensitive to any of the scents used in the study.
• Patients with a diagnosis of congenital anosmia.

Where it is running

• Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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