The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study
Introduction: Olfaction plays an important role in different aspects of our daily functioning and there is a positive correlation between olfactory dysfunction (OD) and depressive symptoms. Multiple parts of the brain are involved in both olfaction and the origin of depressive symptoms, e.g. amygdal...
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Affective Disorders Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915325000174 |
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| author | Emilie Keusters Marnick Clijsters Kristof Vansteelandt Laura Van Gerven Filip Bouckaert |
| author_facet | Emilie Keusters Marnick Clijsters Kristof Vansteelandt Laura Van Gerven Filip Bouckaert |
| author_sort | Emilie Keusters |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Olfaction plays an important role in different aspects of our daily functioning and there is a positive correlation between olfactory dysfunction (OD) and depressive symptoms. Multiple parts of the brain are involved in both olfaction and the origin of depressive symptoms, e.g. amygdala and hippocampus. Olfactory training (OT) is one of the main therapeutic options in the management of OD. The objective of our study is to look at the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with olfactory disorders and to examine the effect of OT on mood in patients who present with OD. Methods: We included patients who presented at the Ears-Nose-Throat outpatient clinic with subjective OD and were eligible for OT. At baseline and follow-up (3 to 6 months) olfactory function and depression were assessed respectively by a Sniffin’ Sticks test and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms questionnaire. Results: Our study revealed that 57 % of participants had mild to severe depressive symptoms at baseline. There was no correlation between the depressive symptoms and OD at baseline. From baseline to follow-up, there was a significant decline in depressive symptoms, but no significant changes in the olfactory function. In addition, there was no correlation between change in depression and change in olfactory function. Limitations: These results should be interpreted with caution because this is an observational pilot study with no placebo-controlled group and a small sample size. Further investigation is warranted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-867ce73afd2f4aff9da30ec520b3af0e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2666-9153 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Affective Disorders Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-867ce73afd2f4aff9da30ec520b3af0e2025-08-20T02:19:10ZengElsevierJournal of Affective Disorders Reports2666-91532025-04-012010088710.1016/j.jadr.2025.100887The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot studyEmilie Keusters0Marnick Clijsters1Kristof Vansteelandt2Laura Van Gerven3Filip Bouckaert4University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Corresponding author at: Delinstraat 18, 2060 Antwerp, Belgium.University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, BelgiumUniversity Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Neurosciences, Neuropsychiatry, Leuven, BelgiumUniversity Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, Rhinology Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, BelgiumUniversity Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Neurosciences, Neuropsychiatry, Leuven, BelgiumIntroduction: Olfaction plays an important role in different aspects of our daily functioning and there is a positive correlation between olfactory dysfunction (OD) and depressive symptoms. Multiple parts of the brain are involved in both olfaction and the origin of depressive symptoms, e.g. amygdala and hippocampus. Olfactory training (OT) is one of the main therapeutic options in the management of OD. The objective of our study is to look at the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with olfactory disorders and to examine the effect of OT on mood in patients who present with OD. Methods: We included patients who presented at the Ears-Nose-Throat outpatient clinic with subjective OD and were eligible for OT. At baseline and follow-up (3 to 6 months) olfactory function and depression were assessed respectively by a Sniffin’ Sticks test and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms questionnaire. Results: Our study revealed that 57 % of participants had mild to severe depressive symptoms at baseline. There was no correlation between the depressive symptoms and OD at baseline. From baseline to follow-up, there was a significant decline in depressive symptoms, but no significant changes in the olfactory function. In addition, there was no correlation between change in depression and change in olfactory function. Limitations: These results should be interpreted with caution because this is an observational pilot study with no placebo-controlled group and a small sample size. Further investigation is warranted.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915325000174Olfactory disordersOlfactory trainingDepression |
| spellingShingle | Emilie Keusters Marnick Clijsters Kristof Vansteelandt Laura Van Gerven Filip Bouckaert The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study Journal of Affective Disorders Reports Olfactory disorders Olfactory training Depression |
| title | The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study |
| title_full | The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study |
| title_fullStr | The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study |
| title_short | The influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction – A prospective observational pilot study |
| title_sort | influence of olfactory training on depressive symptoms and olfactory function in patients with olfactory dysfunction a prospective observational pilot study |
| topic | Olfactory disorders Olfactory training Depression |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915325000174 |
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