Recruiting
Phase 2

Conventional Olfactory Training vs. Scented Marker Training

Sponsor:

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Code:

NCT07221123

Conditions

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Conventional Smell Training Group

Scented Marker Group

Study Details

Brief 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.

Conditions

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

Study ID

NCT07221123

Start date

May 2, 2026

Status verified date

Jun, 2026

Completion date

Dec 31, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jul 1, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 40+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participants (men \& women) must be 40+ years
  • have cognitive complaints.
  • must be proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • a sinus infection (within the past 3 months), thrush, candidiasis, pregnant, current cold or flu, hay fever, asthma, nasal allergies, opportunistic infections (including COVID-19) within the past 3 months, or current nasal obstruction condition.
  • Participation requires \~8 weeks and in-person visits, participants living beyond 60 miles away from the center will be excluded.
  • Participants living in unstable housing (e.g., shelter) or with significant neuro-comorbidities (e.g., schizophrenia) will be excluded.
  • Other conditions (e.g., legally blind/deaf, currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy, or a history of significant brain trauma) that could impact olfactory and cognitive testing also necessitate exclusion.

Study Design

Enrollment

80 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

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).

Interventions

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).

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).

Primary outcome measure

  • FEASIBILITY & ACCEPTABILITY [ Time Frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

David E Vance, PhD

1205-934-7589devance@uab.edu

Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Recruiting

Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35205

Contacts

David Vance, PhD

2059151707devance@uab.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Last update posted

Jun 11, 2026

Last verified

Jun, 2026

Keywords

  • HIV

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Alabama at Birmingham on 2026-06-11.