Multisensory integration and attention towards odors enhance the efficacy of olfactory training, in relation to molecule complexity and physical activity
Wed-P2-059
Presented by: Zetian Li
Background: The systematically repeated exposure to odors, known as olfactory training (OT), has been shown to be of value in the treatment of olfactory dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate whether the efficacy of OT could be modulated with multisensory integration, attention toward daily odors, molecule complexity, or physical activity.
Methods: One hundred healthy participants were recruited and divided into four groups. Except for controls (n = 26, mean age ± sd = 36 ± 15 years) all participants performed OT four times a day. In the “Video” group (n = 26, age 39 ± 19 years) OT was performed while watching specific and congruent video sequences. In the “Counter” group (n = 24, 38 ± 17 years) participants additionally counted the number of odors one day per week, and in the “Training only” group no additional measures were taken in addition to OT (n = 24, 38 ± 20 years). “Single-molecule” odorants or “complex mixture” as training stimulation were distributed randomly. Sniffin’ Sticks tests (odor identification, odor discrimination and odor threshold), cognitive tests, and a series of scales were measured at both baseline and after 3 months of OT. The degree of physical activity was recorded.
Results: Olfactory function improved in the Video and Counter groups after OT, especially for odor threshold and discrimination. Single-molecule odorants boosted odor discrimination improvement. Overall, the increase in olfactory discrimination and identification positively correlated with the degree of physical activity.
Conclusion: Both multisensory interaction and attention towards odors appear to improve the efficacy of OT in healthy individuals. Importantly, this improvement also correlates with the degree of physical activity and single molecule training stimulation.
Methods: One hundred healthy participants were recruited and divided into four groups. Except for controls (n = 26, mean age ± sd = 36 ± 15 years) all participants performed OT four times a day. In the “Video” group (n = 26, age 39 ± 19 years) OT was performed while watching specific and congruent video sequences. In the “Counter” group (n = 24, 38 ± 17 years) participants additionally counted the number of odors one day per week, and in the “Training only” group no additional measures were taken in addition to OT (n = 24, 38 ± 20 years). “Single-molecule” odorants or “complex mixture” as training stimulation were distributed randomly. Sniffin’ Sticks tests (odor identification, odor discrimination and odor threshold), cognitive tests, and a series of scales were measured at both baseline and after 3 months of OT. The degree of physical activity was recorded.
Results: Olfactory function improved in the Video and Counter groups after OT, especially for odor threshold and discrimination. Single-molecule odorants boosted odor discrimination improvement. Overall, the increase in olfactory discrimination and identification positively correlated with the degree of physical activity.
Conclusion: Both multisensory interaction and attention towards odors appear to improve the efficacy of OT in healthy individuals. Importantly, this improvement also correlates with the degree of physical activity and single molecule training stimulation.