Tracking smell recovery in COVID-19 patients at home
Longitudinal At Home Smell Testing to Detect Infection by SARS-CoV-2
This study is testing a home-based smell test to see how well people who had COVID-19 recover their sense of smell.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 1000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05040659 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to track the recovery of smell function in individuals who have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Participants will use the AROMHA Longitudinal Smell Test, which involves objective olfactory testing with smell cards that assess odor intensity, identification, and discrimination from the comfort of their homes. The study seeks to understand the relationship between COVID-19 infection and olfactory recovery, and to evaluate the reliability of this home-based testing method. The findings may inform future therapeutic trials aimed at accelerating smell recovery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older who have experienced smell loss due to COVID-19 or have known anosmia.
Not a fit: Patients with known odor-evoked adverse effects, such as asthma, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a reliable method for tracking and potentially improving smell recovery in COVID-19 patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored olfactory function in COVID-19 patients, but the specific home-based approach of this study is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
For anosmic patients/healthy controls: Inclusion criteria 1. Known anosmia (for anosmic patients only) 2. Age greater than or equal to 18 3. Access to phone, tablet or computer connected to the internet. Exclusion criteria 1. Known odor-evoked adverse effects, e.g. asthma. For asymptomatic participants: Inclusion criteria 1. No symptoms of COVID infection at the time of enrollment. 2. Age greater than or equal to 18 3. Access to phone, tablet or computer connected to the internet. Exclusion criteria 1. Known odor-evoked adverse effects, e.g. asthma. For participants with COVID-19-related smell loss: Inclusion criteria 1. Past infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus as validated by a previous PCR or antigen test 2. Age greater than or equal to 18 3. Access to phone, tablet or computer connected to the internet. Exclusion criteria 1. Known odor-evoked adverse effects, e.g. asthma.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mark W Albers, MD PhD — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Daniela Clinical Research Coordinator, BS
- Email: Olfactionstudy18@mgh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 5082160913
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.