Presentation Details
| Study of Chemosensory Enhancement through Neuromodulation Training (SCENT) for Long COVID: A Blinded Interim Analysis Nicole M Cash1, Mary Clare M Koebel1, Aicko Y Schumann1, Lisa M McTeague1, 2, Thomas W Uhde1, Rodney J Schlosser1, 3, Bashar W Badran1, Bernadette M Cortese1. 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavorial Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.2Ralph H.Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.3Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA |
Abstract
Few evidence-based treatments exist for COVID-related persistent smell dysfunction. While smell training (ST) shows preliminary efficacy and is an often-prescribed intervention, additional study is required. Our research team is conducting a large, at-home, randomized, controlled trial of ST and trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS)-enhanced ST for the treatment of Long COVID-related disturbances in smell, mood, sleep, and cognitive function. A planned treatment-blinded, interim analysis was conducted to assess initial acceptability and feasibility of the interventions. Thus far, sixty-four (50 female) adult participants (AgeM±SD = 47±10.93) have been randomized into one of three treatment arms, ST, TNS-enhanced ST, or placebo ST. Forty-five participants have completed all 12-weeks of treatment and all follow-up assessments (i.e. study completers), with eleven participants still in treatment and a relatively low attrition rate, i.e. eight participants (12.5%). As a group, the study completers trained an average of 50.53 of the 60 assigned training days (~84.22%); only 4 of the 45 study completers did not meet the treatment goal of completing at least 80% of all training sessions. The study interventions were assessed using the Acceptability and Feasibility of Intervention Measures (AIM and FIM, respectively), which queried whether the treatment “is easy to use” and “will work”, for example. Scores for the AIM (M±SD=4.29±0.86) and FIM (M±SD=4.55±0.60) in the group of study completers exceeded the threshold of 4, indicating adequate feasibility and acceptability. Overall, ST and TNS-enhanced ST appear to be suitable treatments that are easily implemented into daily life. Future interim analyses will explore these measures alongside initial efficacy across the blinded treatment arms.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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