A Feasibility and Acceptability Study Testing Two Types of Smell Exposure Interventions in Middle-Aged Older Adults With HIV
Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Phase 2
SUMMARY
The goal of this study is to examine two types of olfactory interventions (conventional olfactory training vs scented marker training) in adults with HIV. The two research questions are: 1. Determine if participants find the intervention acceptable and assess feasibility of the study. 2. Determine if the intervention improves olfactory function and cognitive function. Participants will come to our office and be administered the baseline battery of questions including olfactory and cognitive performance tests. Then they will be randomized and sent home with one of the two interventions (below) in which they will engage in it for 8 weeks, after which they come back to our office for the posttest battery of questions including olfactory and cognitive performance test. 1. Conventional Olfactory Training at Home -- 4 scents in which they will smell twice a day for 8 weeks. 2. Scented Marker Training at Home -- Several marker scents in which they will smell twice a day for 8 weeks.
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 40
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:
• Participants (men \& women) must be 40+ years
• have cognitive complaints.
• must be proficient in English
Locations
United States
Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
RECRUITING
Birmingham
Contact Information
Primary
David E Vance, PhD
devance@uab.edu
1205-934-7589
Time Frame
Start Date:2026-05-02
Estimated Completion Date:2027-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants:80
Treatments
Experimental: Conventional Smell Training Group
The investigators are adopting the usual smell training approach from the literature. A standard smell training kit (i.e., MOXĒ) will be used that contains the four basic odorants across the odor prism - i) flowery (e.g., rose), ii) resinous (e.g., eucalyptus), iii) aromatic (e.g., cloves), and iv) fruity (e.g., lemon). Participants will be instructed to sniff each of the odorant vials/bottles for 10-20 seconds twice a day (morning and evening), for the next 8 weeks. A structured daily diary will be provided for them to record observations of the experience, memories the odorants may evoke, and any side effects experienced (i.e., headache, euphoria, light headedness, phantosmia, nasal irritation).
Experimental: Scented Marker Group
The investigators are adopting the store bought scented markers for the smell training approach. There are several different scents in this marker set (i.e., cherry, grape, etc.). Participants will be instructed to sniff 4 makers of their choosing for 10-20 seconds twice a day (morning and evening), for the next 8 weeks. A structured daily diary will be provided for them to record observations of the experience, memories the odorants may evoke, and any side effects experienced (i.e., headache, euphoria, light headedness, phantosmia, nasal irritation).