Recruiting

Olfactory Training

Sponsor:

Johns Hopkins University

Code:

NCT06733636

Conditions

Olfactory Dysfunction

Smell Loss

Anosmia

Hyposmia

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 60+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Sudoku Puzzles

ScentCare (Olfactory Training Device)

Study Details

Brief summary:

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.

Conditions

Olfactory Dysfunction

Smell Loss

Anosmia

Hyposmia

Study ID

NCT06733636

Start date

Apr 15, 2025

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

Mar 31, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 60+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 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

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Study Design

Enrollment

60 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Olfactory Training

Participants will receive the ScentCare olfactory training device, which includes eight encapsulated scents: Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Lemon, Coffee, Campfire, Cherry, Vanilla, and Lavender. To guide the participant in using the device, participants will have access to either a web-based application or a booklet, depending on the participant's preference. These resources will provide instructions on how to perform the smell training effectively. The training will be conducted twice daily over a period of three months.

other: Control Arm (Sudoku Puzzles)

Participants will be asked to complete sudoku puzzles twice daily over a period of three months.

Interventions

Sudoku Puzzles

Sudoku puzzles of consistent and regular difficulty

ScentCare (Olfactory Training Device)

ScentCare is a smell training device with eight encapsulated scents housed in separate compartments and is contained using a charcoal filter, which will be dispersed in the base of our device to prevent smell contamination in the user's environment. The outer casing contains an opening that can be manually rotated to line up with the casing on each scent. This is facilitated by a rod in the center of the device, which serves as the axis of rotation. By pressing the capsule, the desired scent is released through a hole in the casing, similar to the mechanism of a pen. The user presses the compartment back downwards into the casing when done. The ScentCare mobile application offers clear instructions for at-home smell training and testing, with features like scent randomization to prevent users from getting accustomed to a specific order. It provides detailed guidance on device use and allows users to schedule sessions and receive daily reminders, ensuring a structured training regimen.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in olfaction as assessed by Sniffin' Sticks olfactory testing kit [ Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Wassim Najjar, M.D.

443-997-6467wnajjar1@jh.edu

Locations

Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Recruiting

Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 21287

Contacts

Wassim Najjar, M.D.

443-997-6467wnajjar1@jh.edu

Principal Investigator:

Nicholas Rowan, M.D.

More Information

Sponsor

Johns Hopkins University

Last update posted

Apr 13, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Keywords

  • Olfactory Dysfunction
  • Olfactory Training
  • Smell Training
  • Smell Training Device
  • Smell Loss
  • Anosmia
  • Hyposmia

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Johns Hopkins University on 2026-04-13.