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Boosting Olfactory and Sensory Training Study (BOOST)
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
The goal of this study is to examine two types of olfactory interventions (olfactory training vs overnight odor diffuser) 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. Olfactory Training at Home -- 4 scents in which they will smell twice a day for 8 weeks. 2. Overnight Diffuser Group -- a single scent diffuser that participants will turn on while they sleep and use for 8 weeks.
Official title: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study Testing Two Types of Smell Exposure Interventions in Middle-Aged Older Adults With HIV
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-05-01
Completion Date
2027-12-31
Last Updated
2026-03-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Standard Smell Training Group
We are adopting the usual smell training approach from the literature.23-32 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).
Overnight Diffuser Grou
This group will received a odorant diffuser and 7 essential oil odorant (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender) from the Essential Oil Company (Portland, OR). Participants will receive instruction on how to set it up, and with a diary of keeping track of its use.
Locations (1)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States