Actively Recruiting
Study of Chemosensory Enhancement Through Neuromodulation Training (SCENT for Long COVID)
Led by Medical University of South Carolina · Updated on 2026-04-02
145
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
243 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Medical University of South Carolina
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Persistent smell loss that can include diminished or distorted smell function is a common symptom of long COVID syndrome. There are limited treatment options for long COVID-related smell loss. This study aims to determine the efficacy of two at-home treatments, smell training and non-invasive trigeminal nerve stimulation. This study requires participants to conduct daily at-home treatment sessions, attend three in-person study visits at the MUSC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and complete electronic questionnaires over the 12-week trial, and again at the six-month timepoint. Participants in this trial may benefit directly with an improvement in sense of smell. However, participation may also help society more generally, as this study will provide new information about long COVID-related smell loss and its treatment.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Study of Chemosensory Enhancement Through Neuromodulation Training (SCENT for Long COVID)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Seeking treatment for COVID-related persistent smell loss (anosmia, hyposmia, phantosmia, or parosmia)
- At least 1 month since positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR or rapid home test
- Normal sense of smell before COVID-19 infection
- Have not previously tried smell training or trigeminal nerve stimulation
- Able to understand English and provide informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- History of head injury (e.g., sports, accident, combat blast)
- Sinonasal conditions such as upper respiratory infection, rhinosinusitis, or polyps
- Neurological disorders including epilepsy, neurodegenerative disorders, or narcolepsy
- Serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders
- Suicidal thoughts within the last month
- Heavy cigarette smoking within the last 6 months (10 or more pack-years)
- Use of oral or nasal steroids or other intranasal medications within the last month
- Use of immunomodulatory medications
- Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Bernadette M. Cortese, Ph.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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