corticosteroids + olfactory training

This therapeutic intervention protocol was developed and evaluated by researchers at St. Olavs Hospital and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology for the treatment of chronic olfactory dysfunction resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The regimen consists of a sequential combination of pharmacological and behavioral therapies: a 10-day course of oral corticosteroids followed by three months of intensive olfactory training (olfactory stimulation). The corticosteroids are administered to mitigate potential chronic inflammation within the olfactory neuroepithelium or central olfactory pathways that may impede recovery. The subsequent olfactory training involves twice-daily exposure to four distinct odorants to promote neural plasticity and functional recovery of the olfactory system. Clinical results published in 2020 indicated that approximately half of the patients with long-standing post-traumatic smell impairment experienced clinically significant improvements following this treatment protocol.

Other names

corticosteroids-St. Olavs Hospital-olfaction disorderscorticosteroids and olfactory trainingolfactory stimulation and corticosteroids