A Feasibility and Acceptability Study Testing Two Types of Smell Exposure Interventions in Middle-Aged Older Adults With HIV
University of Alabama at Birmingham
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.
Description
Overall A pre-post two-group experimental design will be used. Participants will be recruited from the UAB 1917 HIV/AIDS Clinic which has a patient population of +3,900 and is the largest HIV medical provider within 100 miles. Participants will be recruited via two ways: 1) flyers posted in the UAB 1917 HIV/AIDS Clinic and 2) via 1917/CINIC participant list of participants who indicated and consented they are would like to be called for recruitment to studies (a technique used before and approved in other UAB IRB studies). Eligible participants will be consented at the UAB where a \~2 hr basel…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
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 si…
Interventions
- OtherConventional 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).
- OtherScented 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).
Location
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, Alabama