Optimization of olfactory training technology using a software and hardware complex in patients with olfactory disorders

Purpose of the study. Evaluation of the effectiveness of olfactory training in patients using the VIBRAINT RehUp automated software and hardware complex, which includes a neurocomputer interface. Material and methods. The present study involved 15 patients with post-viral olfactory dysfunction. Before the study, all participants underwent olfactory diagnostics using the Russian Olfactory Test. The study included patients with dysosmia: olfactory threshold ability – <16 points, olfactory identification ability <17 points. All patients were offered to undergo a course of olfactory training using a software and hardware complex. Olfactory training was conducted using 6 aromas: melon, chocolate, linden, mint, smoke and orange. The rehabilitation course included 10 training sessions. During each training, the study participant had to complete 2 exercises: exercise №1 – rhythmic inhalation of randomly sprayed odors (random); exercise №2 – a task to discriminate odors («Matrix»). The duration of each training session was about 45 minutes.
Results. When performing an odor discrimination exercise, 9 out of 15 study participants showed improved accuracy scores. Statistical analysis of the results of all patients using the Wilcoxon test showed a significant improvement in accuracy in pairwise comparison of the results: the first and last sessions (n=15, -W=8; p=0.026), the average values of the first two and the last two sessions (n=15, -W=10; p=0.0076). When comparing the accuracy of the first session with each subsequent one, a tendency towards an increase in the number of correct answers is noted from the 7th session (n=14, W=7; p=0.021) and is maintained in the 8th (n=13, W=8.5; p=0.029) and 10th sessions (n=10, W=0; p=0.018). When assessing the sense of smell using the Russian Olfactory Test in 10 patients who completed a 10-session rehabilitation course, 7 (70%) of participants showed positive dynamics, 3 (30%) – no changes. Based on the data obtained during the interpretation of the EEG of patients, it was found that the beta rhythm has a statistically significant tendency to increase throughout the entire training course (linear mixed model, p=0.01, coefficient=0.439±0.129. This EEG pattern indicates an increase in cognitive activity associated with improvements in olfactory function and engagement in the training paradigm.
Conclusions. The results confirm the effectiveness of olfactory training using VIBRAINT RehUp and justify its implementation in clinical practice as an element of comprehensive diagnostics and rehabilitation of patients with olfactory dysfunction.
Key words: olfactory analyzer, olfaction, dysosmia, olfactory dysfunction, olfactory disorders; olfactory training, aroma; postviral olfactory impairment, software and hardware complex
Conflict of interest. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Funding. The study has not received any funding.